Article by Viory
The host city of Zapopan, located in the Guadalajara metropolitan area, is preparing to welcome the 2026 FIFA World Cup by creating murals featuring international football legends.
Footage features one of the artworks located beside a major road, where the faces of famous footballers such as Zinedine Zidane, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Pele and Diego Maradona are visible. Women players like Spanish Alexia Putellas and American Alex Morgan also make an impression.
“I also based it a little on the cartoon we watched as children, Super Champions. So also a bit on its characters, which are kind of anime-style,” explained muralist Jose Luis Torres about his work.
He added that the perspective of anime characters was one of his inspirations for the mural. “It is the most energetic passion that exists because there you do not distinguish between shirts or teams. Everyone supports their country for what football means to them.”
Meanwhile, muralist Maricarmen Lancaster painted a colourful mural exclusively featuring Mexican male and female players such as Kenti Robles, Jorge Campos, Hugo Sanchez, Rafael Marquez and Charlyn Corral.
“I wanted to play with very abstract shapes and figures, using that colour palette that for me represents exactly this: the variety and the entire cultural agenda of what happens in Guadalajara,” she said.
The artist also highlighted the role of women in jobs that used to be exclusive to men, both in football and muralism. “That is also another personal satisfaction,” she said.
In the city there is also a mural titled ‘The Rhythm of Football’, created by muralist Saul Sosa, who applied a minimalist approach to concrete blocks to create rhythm through lines and colours.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the 23rd edition of the tournament and the first to be played with 48 teams and across three host countries: Mexico, the United States and Canada.
In Mexico, Zapopan will host four matches at the Guadalajara Stadium. Meanwhile, the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City will host five games, while the BBVA Stadium in Monterrey will host four matches.
Article by Viory
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