JAKARTA – An artist sued FIFA on Monday, June 1, 2026, local time, for 25 million US dollars (about Rp452.3 billion), accusing FIFA and its partners of destroying an iconic mural in downtown Dallas without his consent for the 2026 World Cup.
Wyland, an environmental artist, filed the lawsuit in a Texas federal court after workers covered the eight-story mural with blue paint last month.
The lawsuit notes that by May 18, 2026, most of the murals had been covered.
The 2026 World Cup Organizing Committee of North Texas said in a May 2026 statement to local news media that the mural was being replaced with new artwork to celebrate and build enthusiasm for the 2026 World Cup.
However, the funny thing is, FIFA immediately washed its hands and delegated this problem to the local organizing committee.
“FIFA is in no way involved in this matter and refers all questions about this matter to the host city committee,” FIFA said in a statement to ESPN.
Meanwhile, Wyland sued FIFA as well as the company that owns and manages the building where the mural is located.
“Dallas and Wyland deserve better,” the lawsuit said, adding that the destruction of the artwork was a personal tragedy for the artist and the local community.
Wyland painted the mural, called “Life of the Sea” or Whaling Wall 82, in 1999 as part of a series of 100 works to raise awareness about marine pollution.
The mural depicts a sea view with abundant marine life, which according to the lawsuit is a “city landmark” in Dallas.
In court papers, Wyland’s lawyer argued that the removal of the artwork violated a federal law that protects artwork recognized by an artist from destruction unless the artist signs a written statement giving permission. According to the file, Wyland did not sign the statement.
“Artists bring beauty, identity, and economic value to our cities. Their rights deserve the same protection we give to every pillar of civil life,” said one of Wyland’s lawyers, Andrea Perez.
The destruction of the mural last month sparked protests from the artist, a Dallas resident, as well as prominent figures such as Texas-born singer Kacey Musgraves.
“We suck the soul out of everything,” Musgraves wrote on Instagram about the removal of the mural.
On May 15, 2026, while the mural was being repainted, Wyland posted on Instagram that FIFA had destroyed one of his most iconic murals. He issued a warning letter a few days later.
An online petition calling on FIFA to fund a new mural location in the city center has collected more than 2,600 signatures.
For information, Dallas will host nine matches including the 2026 World Cup semifinals – the most of any host city. The Netherlands will face Japan in the first match at the Dallas Stadium on June 14, 2026.
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