Unveiling the youthful brain responsible for the admired 2026 FIFA World Cup poster designs
In the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mexican designer Mario Cortés, also known as Cuemanche, has created a series of captivating posters for the three Mexican host cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. These posters, now available for sale, have received international acclaim, including a ranking in the highest tier by The New York Times.
The inspiration and artistic influences behind these posters are rooted in the rich cultural and artistic context of Mexico. While specific details about Cortés' inspirations are not directly mentioned, we can infer some influences based on the nature of his work and the cultural significance of the posters.
A Blend of Local Culture and International Appeal
The posters likely draw heavily from Mexican culture, incorporating elements that reflect the unique identity of each city. This could include traditional Mexican art forms, architectural icons, or cultural symbols specific to each host city. At the same time, Cortés has balanced local aesthetics with universally appealing visual elements, integrating vibrant colors, iconic imagery, and abstract patterns that resonate both locally and globally.
Cortés' personal style and previous work have also played a significant role in the posters' creation. Elements of modern design, vibrant color schemes, and a mix of traditional and contemporary motifs can be seen in his work.
A Successful Fusion of Art and Culture
The positive reception of the posters indicates that Cortés effectively combined local cultural elements with artistic expression, creating designs that are both visually striking and culturally significant. The posters tell a unified narrative story, using similar elements and graphics without being repetitive and without highlighting one city more than the other.
The design process for the posters took around three months for Cortés. He visited Monterrey but had never been to Guadalajara, and the Juazárez neighborhood in Mexico City inspired his artistic process. Iconic Mexican artists like Juan O'Gorman and Jorge González Camarena, both part of Mexico's muralism period, were among the artistic influences that shaped Cortés' work.
Art Deco was another major influence on Cortés' design, as well as the Mexico City's 1968 Olympics logo, designed by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez and Lance Wyman. The color palettes Cortés chose for each poster reinforce the visual personality of each host city: Guadalajara with festive pink and yellow, Monterrey with industrial metallic blues, and Mexico City with a warm, multicolored mix.
Cortés views the posters as a "welcome letter to the world" and a showcase of Mexico's diverse and rich culture. He felt proud knowing his posters had received a positive reception in an international media outlet, such as The New York Times.
Gabriela Solis, a Mexican lawyer turned full-time writer, covered the story of the World Cup posters for Mexico News Daily. Solis, who has a lifestyle blog named Dunas y Palmeras, noted that Cortés' biggest challenge was illustrating each city equally without making one city stand out more than the other.
Designing the World Cup posters is considered by Cortés as an opportunity of a lifetime. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
- The design of the World Cup posters by Mexican designer Mario Cortés, also known as Cuemanche, is a blend of local culture and international appeal, incorporating traditional Mexican art forms, iconic imagery, and vibrant colors while maintaining a balance with universally appealing visual elements.
- The positive reception of the World Cup posters indicates a successful fusion of art and culture, as Cortés effectively combined local cultural elements with artistic expression, creating designs that are both visually striking and culturally significant.
- Gabriela Solis, a Mexican lawyer turned full-time writer, notes that one of the biggest challenges Cortés faced was illustrating each city equally without making one city stand out more than the other in the design of the World Cup posters.