The world’s most popular sporting event is coming to North America in 2026, and Houston’s on a mission to be one of the cities to host it. With viewership for the last FIFA World Cup of more than 3.5 billion, the quadrennial event is one of the most-watched and highly anticipated events for soccer enthusiasts. The 2026 World Cup will be hosted in 16 cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States. Currently, 17 cities in the U.S. are vying for a spot. Only 11 will win the bid to host 60 official matches. Houston’s 2026 World Cup Bid Committee, dedicated to bringing the World Cup to Houston under the direction of the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority, continues to push for making Houston a host city. According to Committee President Chris Canetti, hosting six games at NRG Stadium would be equivalent to hosting six Super Bowls. Experts estimate hosting the major event could mean a $1.3 billion economic impact for Houston. In an event hosted by the Partnership in 2019, Canetti said Houston’s diversity makes the city a strong contender to secure a spot. “Soccer is indeed the world’s game, and Houston is the most ethnically diverse city in the country. So some might say it’s a perfect match.” The Federal International Football Association, FIFA, is expected to visit Houston in the coming months as an important step in deciding host venues. The Art of Soccer is one of the Houston committee’s latest campaigns. The project invited companies to financially back the bid in a fun and creative way by collaborating with Houston artists to decorate soccer balls. Similar to a soccer match approaching the final 90th-minute mark, this initiative is one of Houston's final plays to host the 2026 World Cup. Joseph Macas is one of those artists. He’s an instructor at the Houston School of Art & Design. We chatted with Macas about the soccer ball he decorated for the campaign.  How did you become a part of the Art of Soccer project? As an instructor for the Houston School of Art & Design, the school has been involved with painting some of the soccer balls for various clients: Enbridge, Region’s Bank, Intel, NRG/Reliant and Sugar Land. When the Chevron Houston Marathon inquired about having their soccer ball painted, my supervisor Amber Cleveland informed them that I am going to run in the 2022 Houston Chevron Marathon. They thought that it would be awesome for me to paint the ball as both an artist and marathon runner.  I had already been painting soccer balls under the artist Amy Malkan and Shell.  I was already signed up and training for the Houston Marathon before the client came to the school. I was super excited to be able to work and design a soccer ball of my own. It just felt like the perfect fit. How was this project important to you on a personal and professional level? I would say that this was my first big project outside of teaching. Professionally, this was a huge step towards working for larger clients. This project really gave me the platform to showcase some of my abilities to design and paint. On a personal level, it's just been amazing to work on something for the city, especially in relation to the World Cup. All my friends in Houston are excited about it and my parents are proud that my artwork is being showcased. I'm just grateful to be part of the experience of it all and contribute. What inspired your artwork for this project? After talking with the client, we agreed on the theme of running around the world. We used the soccer ball as a giant globe. Medals are placed to showcase where major marathons are run across the world and are connected by footsteps.  I think it was very important for those viewing the soccer ball to be able to say, "hey there's my home country," and then follow the footsteps around the world. Moreover, I think it was important that the trajectory of the footsteps resemble a heartbeat to signify the connection that we share through sports. Showcasing Houston, they are crossing the finish line at the Chevron Houston Marathon. As a native Houstonian, how would you pitch Houston's pitch to FIFA? We've got beer, brisket and bodies of water. What more can you ask for?  Learn more about the Art of Soccer project and explore Houston’s arts and culture scene. 

The Tokyo Olympics, postponed last year due to COVID-19, kicks off July 23 and features over 11,000 athletes from around the world. More than 500 athletes will represent Team USA from across the country, including notable Houston athletes such as Simon Biles, Lawson Craddock and Kelley Hurley.  As the world looks to Tokyo for this summer’s major sporting event, we’re taking a look back at some of the world-renowned Houstonians who competed in the Games. Here are five remarkable Olympic athletes from Houston who elevated the nation's fourth largest city to this international stage. Click to expand Photo courtesy of Zina Garrison's official webpage (zinagarrison.org) Zina Garrison The professional tennis player, who reached a career high No. 4 world ranking in 1989, represented the U.S. at the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. In 1988, Garrison brought home a gold medal in doubles and a bronze in singles. Garrison was also a runner-up at Wimbledon 1990, where she was the first African-American woman since Althea Gibson to reach the Grand Slam final, and a three-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champ.  Garrison grew up playing tennis at Macgregor Park in Houston’s Third Ward, which now honors her legacy with the Zina Garrison Tennis Academy. She also founded the Zina Garrison Foundation for the Homeless and the Zina Garrison All-Court Tennis Program. Click to expand Photo courtesy of George Foreman's official webpage (georgeforeman.com) George Foreman Raised in Houston’s Fifth Ward, 19-year-old Foreman won the heavyweight gold medal in boxing at the Mexico City 1968 Olympic Games as an amateur. Foreman boxed at a professional level from 1969 until 1997. His career finished with a record of 76-5, including 68 wins by knockout. In 1983, Foreman founded the George Foreman Youth and Community Center in North Houston, dedicated for kids to be active and involved in educational activities. Click to expand Photo courtesy of Carl Lewis' official webpage (carllewis.com) Carl Lewis The University of Houston alum won nine Olympic gold medals, a silver and 10 World Championship medals in track and field. Voted as the “World Athlete of the Century” by the International Association of Athletics Federation and as “Olympian of the Century” by Sports Illustrated, Lewis’ successful career led him to become one of the greatest athletes to ever emerge from the University of Houston. Lewis continues to hold UH’s records for indoor 55-meter dash (6.07s) and indoor-and-outdoor long jumps (28’-1”, 28’-3.5”). The former Olympian now full-time assistant coach with UH’s track and field team.  Click to expand Photo courtesy of University of Texas' Track & Field and Cross Country Twitter page (@TexasTFXC) Carlette Guidry-White Born in Houston, Guidry-White won gold medals in the 4x100 meter relay at the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Her speed, physique and dedication also won her a gold medal in the 1995 Gothenburg World Championships.  Guidry-White, aka ‘Ms. Turbo’, currently holds the American record for 4th best indoor 60-meter (7.04 sec) and 200-meter (22.73 sec), and 8th best outdoor 200-meter (22.14 sec). After a successful career as a sprinter, she pursued a career in social work, returning to the professional path she once paused to excel as an athlete.  Click to expand Photo courtesy of Simone Biles' official Facebook page Simone Biles Biles, with a total of 30 Olympic and World Championship medals, is heading into the Tokyo Olympics with a winning record. Recently described as “the greatest gymnast of all time” by Time Magazine, Biles continues to elevate the standard for the world of gymnastics. At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, she became the first female U.S. gymnast to win four gold medals at single games. Biles is also the first gymnast to win three consecutive world all-round titles. With Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt retired, Biles is the biggest singular athlete to follow at this year’s Games.  Learn more about Houston’s sports and recreation scene.