“Woven Together” selected from more than 100 entries
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (April 5, 2025) — KC2026 revealed the winning Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Kansas City Host City Poster design at Children’s Mercy Park Saturday before a Z sold-out Sporting Kansas City vs. St. Louis City SC match. Kansas City, Missouri, designer Jadie Arnett created the winning poster, “Woven Together.” Arnett’s artwork will become an iconic image of the FIFA World Cup 26™ in Kansas City.
Each of the 16 FIFA World Cup 26™ Host Cities will have its own official poster which reflects the distinctive spirit and culture of its community, while showcasing a shared passion for the beautiful game. This is the first time FIFA has introduced a Host City-led poster design process. FIFA will make the official Host City posters available for sale on April 19 at FIFAWorldCup.com, following the final city reveal.
“What better canvas than the soccer scarves that fans wear to support their teams,” said Arnett, a native of Columbia, Missouri. “Missouri and Kansas are woven together in Kansas City just like the knitting of a scarf. As a region, we are one team.”
The poster design depicts a soccer scarf that illustrates the story of the FIFA World Cup 26™ in three scenes, representing both states. Arnett drew inspiration from the scenes adorning ancient Greek ceramic pottery, recognizing a connection between the athletes depicted in sport and the spirit of competition at the FIFA World Cup 26™.
“Jadie’s poster is dynamic. There are so many layers to it and so much storytelling involved,” said Chandler Johnson, The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce art director and president of the Kansas City chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and the arts community mentor paired with Arnett during the selection process.
Launched in October 2024, the KC2026 poster contest received interest from the arts community throughout Kansas and Missouri with more than 100 entries. A task force committee of Kansas and Missouri arts, culture and heritage representatives chose five finalists, who were each paired with a mentor from the panel. Finalists received $1,000 each and created a poster design that best represented our region and community. KC2026 then submitted the top designs to FIFA for review. Arnett, as the winning designer, will receive an additional $10,000 grand prize.
“Arnett’s design is a testament to the creativity and talent of our local arts community,” said KC2026 Board of Directors Vice President Neal Sharma. “Her artwork captures the spirit of unity and excitement that will permeate our city during the tournament. We are grateful for her contribution and inspired by her vision.”
In addition to each individual Host City Poster, FIFA will reveal the Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Tournament Poster later in 2025. For more updates in the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 26™, visit the KC2026 website and social channels and sign up for the KC2026 e-newsletter.
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About KC2026
A nonprofit organization overseeing strategy and delivering Host City duties for the FIFA World Cup 26™, KC2026 will plan, construct and implement all aspects of Kansas City’s largest sports and fan engagement event in the region’s history. Learn more at www.KansasCityFWC26.com.
About Greater Kansas City
Home to 2.5 million people, Kansas City is a vibrant metro in the heart of the U.S., known as the “KC Heartland.” An all-new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport welcomes guests by air, while 85% of the U.S. is less than a two-day drive away. The region’s red-hot sports culture is embraced every season, headlined by the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City, and the National Women’s Soccer League’s Kansas City Current.
Kansas City, home to renowned arts and culture, offers live entertainment in the downtown Power & Light District, as well as 40 jazz clubs throughout the area. Find food from James Beard award-winning chefs and sample true KC tradition at more than 100 barbecue restaurants across the metro. Dive into some of the country’s most significant historical moments at KC’s treasured institutions, from the National WWI Museum and Memorial and the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum. Learn more at www.KC.org.
About The FIFA World Cup 26™
The FIFA World Cup 26™ will be the biggest sporting event ever, with three Host Countries, 16 Host Cities, 48 teams and 104 matches uniting an entire continent to showcase a momentous new tournament format. With more countries, cities, teams, and games, The FIFA World Cup 26™ will be the most inclusive tournament ever, engaging millions of fans across 16 unique stadiums and billions worldwide. The tournament will take place in June and July 2026. For the latest FIFA World Cup 26™ information, please visit the FIFA World Cup 26™ website. For media representatives wishing to stay up to date on all things 2026, please register via the FIFA Media Hub.
CONTACT:
Haley Harrison-Lee
KC2026 | Trozzolo Communications Group
Trozzolo@sportkc.org