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‘The Bayou-tiful Game’ mural by French-born, Houston-based artist Sebastien \u201cMr. D 1987\u201d Boileau.<\/p>\n
Ana Khan\/Houston Chronicle <\/p>\n
Houston\u2019s World Cup<\/a> celebration isn\u2019t limited to watch parties<\/a> and match days. Across the city, artists have transformed walls, shipping containers and gallery spaces into tributes to soccer and the communities that reflect Houston\u2019s diversity. Whether you\u2019re looking for a photo op or an afternoon of art hopping, these stops offer a different way to experience the tournament.<\/p>\n ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: The ultimate guide to the World Cup in Houston<\/a><\/p>\n MURALS<\/p>\n Museum District<\/p>\n Artist Elizabeth \u201cLiz\u201d Umanzor\u2019s mural reflects the educational and cultural experiences found across Houston\u2019s Museum District.<\/p>\n Ana Khan\/Houston Chronicle <\/p>\n Created by Houston artist Elizabeth Umanzor<\/a>, this mural outside Children\u2019s Museum Houston serves as the Museum District\u2019s official World Cup artwork. The colorful piece incorporates references to science, wildlife, art and space exploration, reflecting the institutions and experiences that make the district one of Houston\u2019s cultural hubs.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Location: Corner of Crawford St. and\u00a0Binz St.<\/p>\n East Downtown<\/p>\n Houston artist Betirri\u2019s East End Gateway Mural features jerseys representing the nine national teams playing World Cup matches in Houston.<\/p>\n Ana Khan\/Houston Chronicle <\/p>\n Created by Houston artist Betirri<\/a> with six apprentices, the 230-foot East End Gateway Mural pays tribute to soccer, Houston\u2019s identity and the nine World Cup teams playing in the city. The mural features Betirri\u2019s signature bodiless figures wearing jerseys for Germany, Cura\u00e7ao, Portugal, the Netherlands, Uzbekistan, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sweden.<\/p>\n Location: East End Gateway Mural, 2727 Harrisburg Blvd.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n ‘Para Todos’ by Ernesto Sandoval is installed on a shipping container near Navigation Boulevard and Nagle Street.<\/p>\n Ana Khan\/Houston Chronicle <\/p>\n Installed on a shipping container near Navigation Boulevard, Ernesto <\/a>Sandoval<\/a>\u2019s \u201cPara Todos\u201d\u00a0celebrates soccer as a sport that belongs to everyone. The colorful work reflects the game\u2019s ability to connect people across cultures, languages and backgrounds.<\/p>\n Location: Navigation Esplanade and\u00a0Nagle St.<\/p>\n The 160-foot mural by Houston artist Jos\u00e9 \u201cMeenr\u201d Arredondo features soccer icons from around the world.<\/p>\n Ana Khan\/Houston Chronicle <\/p>\n Jos\u00e9 \u201cMeenr\u201d <\/a>Arredondo<\/a>\u2019s 160-foot mural was one of the first World Cup artworks unveiled in Houston. The piece features soccer stars Kylian Mbapp\u00e9, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Mexico captain Edson \u00c1lvarez.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Location:\u00a0Canal Street near The Original Ninfa\u2019s on Navigation<\/p>\n GONZO247\u2019s ‘Frequency of the City’ mural spans the exterior of Shell Energy Stadium and was created in collaboration with Meow Wolf and Houston Dynamo FC.<\/p>\n Ana Khan\/Houston Chronicle <\/p>\n Created by Houston artist GONZO247<\/a> in collaboration with Meow Wolf and Houston Dynamo FC, “Frequency of the City” celebrates the city\u2019s creative culture through references to soccer, graffiti and Houston\u2019s iconic slab scene. The mural stretches across the exterior of Shell Energy Stadium in EaDo.<\/p>\n Location: Shell Energy Stadium, 2200 Texas Ave.<\/p>\n MORE FROM ANA KHAN: Where to find FIFA World Cup watch parties and themed specials in Houston<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Fifth Ward Cultural District<\/p>\n Ashley Price\u2019s mural is located in a pedestrian alley near the DeLuxe Theater in Houston\u2019s Fifth Ward Cultural District.<\/p>\n Ana Khan\/Houston Chronicle <\/p>\n Ashley Price<\/a>\u2019s ‘The World\u2019s Garden’ turns a Fifth Ward alley into a colorful welcome for World Cup visitors. Featuring three generations of women, the mural reflects the families and communities that have shaped the neighborhood while highlighting Fifth Ward\u2019s place in a global event.\u00a0<\/p>\n Location: 3303 Lyons Ave.<\/p>\n Midtown<\/p>\n ‘The Bayou-tiful Game’ mural by French-born, Houston-based artist Sebastien \u201cMr. D 1987\u201d Boileau.<\/p>\n Ana Khan\/Houston Chronicle <\/p>\n Created by French-born, Houston-based artist Sebastien \u201cMr. D 1987\u201d Boileau<\/a>, ‘The Bayou Beautiful Game’ combines World Cup excitement with some of the city\u2019s most recognizable symbols. The mural includes references to Houston\u2019s bayous, NASA and the late artist David Adickes’ iconic ‘We Love Houston’ sculpture. One of its most popular features is a painted World Cup trophy that allows visitors to pose as if they\u2019re holding it.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 STANDINGS: Which teams have qualified for Round of 32 so far<\/a><\/p>\n Arts District\u00a0<\/p>\n Artist Jatziri Barron\u2019s ‘The Art of the Beautiful Game’ mural at 2219 Crockett St. features Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dal\u00ed, Frida Kahlo and Vincent van Gogh.<\/p>\n Ana Khan\/Houston Chronicle <\/p>\n Known for work that explores identity, culture and community, Mexican artist and Houston resident Jatziri Barron<\/a> brings those themes to ‘The Art of the Beautiful Game.’ The mural features artistic icons including Frida Kahlo, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dal\u00ed, connecting the worlds of art and soccer while celebrating the diversity that defines Houston.<\/p>\n Location:\u00a02219 Crockett St.<\/p>\n Westchase<\/p>\n Artist Mathieu JN Baptiste\u2019s mural celebrates Houston\u2019s diversity and the global spirit of soccer.<\/p>\n Ana Khan\/Houston Chronicle <\/p>\n Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and based in Houston, artist Mathieu JN Baptiste<\/a> created this World Cup mural as a celebration of soccer, culture and community. Installed in Westchase, the artwork honors emerging soccer nations and pays tribute to Haiti\u2019s national team, which qualified for its first World Cup since 1974.<\/p>\n Location:\u00a03806 S. Gessner Dr.<\/p>\n Near NRG Stadium<\/p>\n ‘Dream Big,’ a mural by artist Amy Malkan, covers the exterior of the Wyndham Houston near NRG Stadium.<\/p>\n Ana Khan\/Houston Chronicle <\/p>\n Amy <\/a>Malkan<\/a>\u2019s ‘Dream Big’ pairs World Cup imagery with a message of possibility. The 130-foot mural features a young boy looking toward the stars alongside a globe transformed into a soccer ball and fields of Texas bluebonnets. Located near NRG Stadium, it\u2019s hard to miss and easy to spot from a distance.<\/p>\n Location:\u00a08686 Kirby Dr.<\/p>\n FIFA FAN FESTIVAL: How much it costs to visit Houston\u2019s FIFA Fan Festival, from parking and food to souvenirs<\/a><\/p>\n Theater District<\/p>\n Artist Nicky Davis\u2019 mural celebrates Houston\u2019s Theater District with references to the performing arts and the Houston Symphony.<\/p>\n Ana Khan\/Houston Chronicle <\/p>\n Houston artist Nicky Davis<\/a>, with the help of Vida<\/a>, pays tribute to the city\u2019s performing arts scene with a mural celebrating the Theater District. The artwork features references to stage productions including ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ and ‘Carmen,’ alongside tributes to the Houston Symphony.<\/p>\n Location:\u00a0400 San Jacinto St.<\/p>\n ART EXHIBITS AND PHOTO OPS<\/p>\n ‘Obverse and Reverse XIV’<\/p>\n Dario Escobar\u2019s ‘Obverse and Reverse XIV’ is on display at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.<\/p>\n Ana Khan\/Houston Chronicle <\/p>\n Created from deconstructed soccer balls, Guatemalan artist Dar\u00edo Escobar\u2019s “Obverse and Reverse XIV”<\/a>\u00a0explores the intersection of sports, culture and contemporary art. While not connected to the World Cup, the installation offers another soccer-inspired stop for visitors exploring Houston\u2019s Museum District.<\/p>\n Location:\u00a0Kinder Building, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston,\u00a01001 Bissonnet St.<\/p>\n ‘Ballet of the Masses’<\/p>\n The “Ballet of the Masses” exhibition at Sabine Street Studios features soccer balls suspended in mid air.<\/p>\n Peter Warren\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n Nearly four dozen Houston artists transformed soccer balls into works of art for “Ballet of the Masses<\/a>,” an exhibition at Sabine Street Studios. The free exhibit is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through July 25.<\/p>\n Location: 1907 Sabine St.<\/p>\n Photo op at Sabine Street Studios<\/p>\n Visitors can step into a World Cup-inspired photo op featuring international jerseys and flags at Sabine Street Studios.<\/p>\n Ana Khan\/Houston Chronicle <\/p>\n There\u2019s more to see beyond “Ballet of the Masses.” Sabine Street Studios also has a free World Cup-themed photo stop and other soccer-inspired artwork.<\/p>\n Location: 1907 Sabine St.<\/p>\n ‘The Art of Soccer’\u00a0<\/p>\n Soccer-themed art installations are on display inside POST Houston during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n Ana Khan\/Houston Chronicle <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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