Iconic Whale Mural In Dallas Painted Over For FIFA-Related Branding Ahead Of World Cup

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A massive, iconic mural in downtown Dallas by the artist Wyland has been painted over to make way for World Cup branding, prompting anger in the community and a whole lot of finger pointing among those responsible for the decision.

From 1999 until sometime last week, an 82-foot-high, 164-foot-long pod of whales adorned the side of the building at 505 N. Akard Street in downtown Dallas.

Wyland told Fox4News he painted aquatic scenes in landlocked cities across the country as a means to draw attention to how metropolitan areas affect ecosystems downstream.

Any claim Dallas or FIFA sought his permission before slathering it over is “a lie with a capital L,” he told the station. “They had all these walls. There’s so many great walls to paint. Pick a wall that’s not part of Dallas’ public history.”

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The North Texas Fifa World Cup Organizing Committee said in a statement it has “great respect for Wyland’s legacy,” and as such, decided to leave a small portion of the mural it had yet to obscure uncovered.

“We look forward to unveiling a new piece that captures this current historical moment and reflects the energy, unity, and global spirit” surrounding World Cup 2026.

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” Wyland said in a separate interview with KERA news. “They destroyed like 80% of the mural, and they’re going to paint something that has nothing to do with conservation, which is what the mural was intended for.”

“They should be embarrassed.”

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