June 11 –Houston, which is preparing to host Concacaf Gold Cup matches next month, is looking further ahead with its bid to be one of the final 10 host cities in the US for the 2026 World Cup.
In collaboration with Houston Airports, the Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee, will begin painting a 10,000-square-foot “Gateway to the World” mural at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in support of the bid.
The 20 ft by-500ft mural, will be painted on the exterior of the Price Compressor Co. building at Hobby Airport by street artist Mario Figueroa Jr, known as GONZO247, and six other artists.
Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin said: “History has shown that our city can mobilize and come together in big moments, and there is no doubt that we will be able to rise to the occasion once again and serve as a great host to FIFA. I can say with confidence that our airports’ backing for our World Cup Bid is unmatched by any of our competitors.”
The mural will be visible from aircraft departing and arriving at Hobby Airport, and “will capture the synergy of Houston as the most diverse and innovative city in America,” sad a Houston press release.
The mural will include iconic Houston imagery and will highlight the city’s passion for football. Large ceramic soccer balls will be painted and later displayed inside Bush and Hobby airports.
GONZO247 and the six additional artists – Sylvia Blanco, Hannah Bull, Roni Cabrera-Moreno, Black Cssidy, Nicky Davis and Mathieu Jeanbaptiste– expect to have the mural completed by the end of the month.
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