Victoria artist Jamin Zuroski has been named the winner of Vancouver乌鸦传媒檚 official host city poster contest for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, an honour that places his artwork and his voice on the global stage.
His vibrant design, now displayed on the side of BC Place, was chosen from among 57 submissions and will serve as a visual symbol of Vancouver乌鸦传媒檚 role in the world乌鸦传媒檚 most-watched sporting event.
乌鸦传媒淚t's such an honour and I do feel quite humble about this opportunity,乌鸦传媒� said Zuroski, whose artistic career spans over 25 years and blends Indigenous notes with modern design. 乌鸦传媒淛ust being selected was a beautiful thing in itself.乌鸦传媒�
The poster contest launched in August 2024, inviting British Columbian artists to either submit a portfolio or a complete poster design.
Zuroski set aside other projects and schoolwork to focus fully on the contest, spending two weeks developing a piece that reflects the natural beauty of the West Coast and the unifying spirit of the game.
乌鸦传媒淚 was doing full-time schooling and I pretty much put all my schooling and all my other projects on hold,乌鸦传媒� Zuroski said. 乌鸦传媒淚 wanted to reflect the city of Vancouver, but also how FIFA has incorporated a spirit in the game 乌鸦传媒� building camaraderie of teams and players from around the world and coming together in a respectful, harmonious way.乌鸦传媒�
At the heart of Zuroski乌鸦传媒檚 poster is an orca, a creature he says mirrors the spectacle of soccer and the unity of its players.
乌鸦传媒淭he orca is swooping up, with the tail kind of wrapping around the ball. It symbolizes how orcas flip seals up in the water 乌鸦传媒� it乌鸦传媒檚 a spectacle,乌鸦传媒� Zuroski said. 乌鸦传媒淎nd I feel the same way with these players coming from around the world. It乌鸦传媒檚 just magic in itself.乌鸦传媒�
Zuroski paid close attention to colour and form, aiming to match FIFA乌鸦传媒檚 regional palette while creating something audiences of all ages could connect with.
乌鸦传媒淚 want youth, adults, elders to walk past it and connect with it in their own way,乌鸦传媒� Zuroski said. 乌鸦传媒淭o look across the whole design and find elements they can relate to.乌鸦传媒�
Zuroski, whose work has previously been featured at the 2019 Canada Winter Games and the 2024 Ironman Triathlon, also spoke about the influence of mentorship in his journey.
He invited his family and longtime art teacher Victor Newman to the press conference unveiling the poster.
乌鸦传媒淚f it wasn乌鸦传媒檛 for his guidance and support, I don乌鸦传媒檛 know where I乌鸦传媒檇 be,乌鸦传媒� Zuroski said. 乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 really beautiful to have your mentors beside you.乌鸦传媒�
Soccer has long been part of Zuroski乌鸦传媒檚 life, dating back to his childhood in Alert Bay and later in Victoria.
His uncle, Alex Nelson, is a BC and Canadian Hall of Fame inductee and former coach who used the game as a space for healing, friendship and mentorship 乌鸦传媒損rinciples that Zuroski said shaped both his approach to sport and his creative life.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, marking the first time the tournament will feature 48 teams.
Vancouver is one of two Canadian cities hosting matches, alongside Toronto. BC Place will welcome fans to seven games: five in the group stage 乌鸦传媒� including Canada乌鸦传媒檚 second and third group games on June 18 and 24 乌鸦传媒� followed by a Round of 32 match on July 2 and a Round of 16 match on July 7.
