When FIFA unveiled the official poster for the 2026 World Cup in Miami, one image stopped the world: a flamingo rendered in Art Deco geometry, its body composed of soccer-ball patches, each a nod to a different Miami neighborhood. Behind it stands a Brazilian-born artist whose multicultural biography reads like the city itself. The assignment, he says, was the most demanding of his career. “I wanted to capture the essence of the real Miami — all its colors and cultural references — in a single image recognizable anywhere in the world,” he explains. “It was not an easy task because Miami is such a vibrant cultural blend.” His solution was the flamingo. “I chose it as Miami’s unofficial symbol, and the soccer ball became a representation of the city itself, with each individual patch inspired by different neighborhoods and cultural influences. The Art Deco style was very important because it was immediately connected to the city’s visual identity. I wanted the poster to instantly feel like Miami.” The result is not a postcard. It is a portrait.
ROOTS & REINVENTION
Born in Brazil and shaped by years living across Latin America, New York, and South Florida, the artist brings a layered perspective that he says is inseparable from his work. “The fact that I was born in Brazil and exposed to multicultural diversity from a very young age became one of my greatest strengths as an artist,” he says. “I absorb different cultural influences and transform them into ideas, emotions, and storytelling through my work.” That background, he adds, is precisely why Miami feels like home. “This city has created and matured its own identity without denying its very strong Latin roots. Miami fully embraces different influences and transforms them into a unique culture of its own. It makes our music, art, sports, and everyday life richer.”
“Soccer is not only about the sport itself — it’s about passion, resilience, and overcoming. It’s about where these players came from, their families, and how many become heroes and inspirations for future generations.”
THE HUMAN POWER OF FÚTBOL
For those outside the soccer world, the emotional grip of the World Cup can be difficult to explain. The artist offers a simple framework. “I believe it’s really a matter of exposure,” he says. “Once you start watching the games with family and friends, it becomes about belonging. And when you learn the personal stories behind each player and each team, you naturally get emotionally connected.” The sport, he insists, runs deeper than the ninety minutes on the pitch. “That’s why the World Cup has such a powerful emotional impact — once people connect to those human stories, it becomes much more than a game.” That universality, he argues, is what makes the tournament unlike any other event on earth. “The World Cup creates a rare moment where every nation, regardless of size or power, has an equal opportunity to participate, compete, and share its culture and identity with the world. Under the same rules of the game, everyone competes equally, and the best will win.” Beyond the competition, something more lasting takes root. “The pride that each nation brings to the tournament creates a huge exchange of life experiences and cultures. You leave the World Cup with a better understanding of other people and their traditions simply by sharing those moments together.”
THE MOMENT EVERYTHING STOPPED
When his design was announced as the official poster, the artist’s reaction was unguarded. “My jaw literally dropped. I had no idea until the moment of the reveal,” he recalls. The recognition, he says, carried a meaning beyond personal pride. “I was already happy just to be there and be part of such a special moment. Being chosen among such a talented group of artists meant a lot to me — it showed that FIFA connected with and believed in my artistic vision.” Miami, the flamingo, the beautiful game. A city. A moment. An icon.
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