Officials cut a ribbon during the Texan Golden Boot unveiling on May 28 on the corner of Stadium Drive and Cowboys Way. The boot is a permanent sculpture in honor of Arlington’s role as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Photo by Maricela Gonzales multimedia editor
Gold and bronze gleamed Thursday on the corner of Stadium Drive and Cowboys Way when the Texan Golden Boot sculpture was unveiled — a permanent sculpture recognizing Arlington’s role as a host site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Arlington is 17 days away from hosting a tournament-high nine matches, and the sculpture is one of the first World Cup related showings from the city as they begin ramping up the tournament.
Jaime Cabrera, North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee director of donor relations, said the idea for the statue was about melding global culture with Texas heritage.
The Texan Golden Boot spur sits during the Texan Golden Boot unveiling on May 28 on the corner of Stadium Drive and Cowboys Way. The sculpture is approximately 18 feet long by 14 feet tall and weighs 2,200 pounds.
Photo by Maricela Gonzales multimedia editor
“It’s larger than life, and I think to have something that will be here for generations to come, where our communities, visitors, locals can come visit and see and be part of this is remarkable,” Cabrera said.
The sculpture, made by Steve Ekpenisi, was inspired by the Golden Boot award given to the top scorer of the World Cup. The addition of the spur, which spins, ties into the Texas culture.
The Texan Golden Boot is made of reclaimed metal. The sculpture is 18 feet long by 14 feet tall and weighs 2,200 pounds, according to Thibault and Audrey Decker, co-founders of Street Art for Mankind, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that works with street artists to create murals. It took Ekpenisi and his team 28 days to complete the work, Thibault Decker said.
Jamie Cabrera, North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee director of donor relations, speaks during the Texan Golden Boot unveiling on May 28 on the corner of Stadium Drive and Cowboys Way. Cabrera said the statue melds global culture with Texas heritage.
Photo by Maricela Gonzales multmedia editor
A brick path that will lead to the sculpture is expected to be completed by late summer, Cabrera said. Bricks are available for purchase and can be inscribed. The money for the projects came from around 20 donors, most of whom gave more than $25,000.
Audrey and Thibault Decker praised Ekpenisi’s unique talent, craftsmanship and use of reclaimed metal. In addition to giving the metal a second life, Audrey Decker said Ekpenisi wanted a material that represents Texas.
“If you want to do something which is really representing the Southern hospitality in Texas, you don’t want to go for plastic, you really want to go for something that’s going to be hard to work,” Audrey Decker said. “Something that really feels Texas.”
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