Seattle has launched a comprehensive public art programme designed to beautify the city and attract visitors ahead of hosting six FIFA World Cup matches next year at Lumen Field.
The initiative begins with two newly completed murals in downtown Seattle, commissioned by Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026, the local organising committee. Rather than featuring football imagery, the artworks focus on themes of equality, human rights, and environmental sustainability.
The first mural, “United Currents,” faces the Seattle Central Library at Spring Street and 5th Avenue. Created by Seattle artist Leo Shallat, the piece features a blue wave with a golden sun at its centre, green leaves spilling from the wave, and birds flying in the background. Shallat said the contemporary work celebrates the city’s counterculture legacy.
“The theme of counterculture resonates deeply with me and I hope it appropriately honours the different movements that have taken root here in Seattle and continue to flourish to this day,” Shallat explained.
The second piece, “United by Nature,” spans 17 storeys above Western Avenue near Union Street and is visible to ferry passengers arriving at the Port of Seattle. Street artist INO created the black and white mural featuring male and female figures with a blue lightning-like dash, celebrating Seattle’s commitment to human rights and justice legacy.
These installations represent the first phase of an expanded public art series planned throughout the city leading to the 2026 matches. Future works will explore themes of culture and community, with the local organising committee reserving 52 columns beneath the Seattle Monorail for additional pieces.
Peter Tomozawa, CEO of the Seattle World Cup organising committee, said the artworks reflect the city’s inclusive character. “We sold FIFA and the World Cup organising people on the idea that our region and our city is a city of inclusion. They rewarded us with the two premier dates to celebrate the World Cup on,” he noted.
Seattle’s World Cup matches include games scheduled for Juneteenth and during Pride month, reinforcing the thematic choices for the mural programme. More than 750,000 visitors are expected for the matches in June 2026.
The committee plans to release a mobile app in spring 2026 that will guide residents and visitors to mural locations throughout the city. Users can earn points for visiting sites, redeemable for World Cup merchandise.
“Our attempt is really to draw and reinvigorate and to create activation around our city core,” Tomozawa said. “We want people to move around our city.”
The organising committee envisions the murals as a lasting legacy extending well beyond the tournament’s 39-day duration, with plans for the artwork to remain for the next two decades.
