Thieb Delaporte-Richard signs one of the official World Cup 2026 posters

A 2015 graduate of the Graphic Motion Designer program, Thieb Delaporte-Richard is Art Director at Apple. A soccer fan who has lived in Los Angeles for several years, his poster was chosen to represent the city at the 2026 Football World Cup. His design is one of sixteen posters presenting the host cities of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

I discovered the competition a little by chance on social networks, a few days before the deadline. I couldn't pass up an opportunity like this!

It was the perfect opportunity to bring together two passions that have always been with me- design and soccer - with Los Angeles, the city where I've been living for years and which feeds my daily inspiration.

2026 Football World Cup poster Thieb Delaporte-Richard

I was inspired by theenergy of soccer and the unique colors of Los Angeles sunsets. From there, a simple idea was born: a player ready to kick a ball, who also happens to be the sun setting over the city. It was a way of linking two worlds in a suspended moment that was both powerful and poetic.

I really wanted to create a strong visual, driven by a clear composition, play of light and subtle details, rather than an accumulation of symbols.

It took me a few hours to come up with the concept, then a week to produce the poster, which I sent off just two hours before the end of the competition.

In retrospect, this limited time and excitement no doubt helped me to get to the heart of the matter, to step out of my comfort zone and play with different techniques, such as digital painting and collage. It was a real challenge, and I'm delighted that the jury was convinced by the result.

Thieb Delaporte-Richard on the 2026 World Cup TV show

It's a very personal piece. I started designing when I was 13, creating soccer banners on Photoshop, so winning this award is a bit like coming full circle!

I've been lucky enough to work on some high-profile projects in my career, but this one is different: it's a poster presented under my own name, with a concept I developed on my own. I'm quite an introvert, so I wasn't expecting this kind of exposure.

Thousands of fans reacted to the poster, and I was able to present it at SoFi Stadium, talk about it on TV shows, give interviews and take part in signing sessions. And the craziest part is that the best is yet to come, with the poster being displayed all over California in the months leading up to the World Cup.

When the vice-president of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Committee contacted me by e-mail, I didn't really realize what was going on, and it was a call right afterwards that made me realize it! It's a great source of pride to see my work recognized in this way.

I've always dreamed of having an experience in Los Angeles. In 2015, to validate my degree at GOBELINS, I had to do a three-month internship with a company, and I did everything I could to be able to do it there. I contacted several studios and, thanks to the support of the school and Cécile Blondel, who helped me with the visa formalities, I was able to go there.

As soon as I arrived, I felt at home. I was immediately struck by this culture of the possible : if you have good ideas, they listen to you, no matter who you are. What was supposed to be a break became the start of a new life. That three-month internship turned into a one-year contract, then another, and so on.

I've been living in California for ten years now. I try to keep learning every day, and I'm grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way.

GOBELINS Open Days 2015

I loved my years at GOBELINS! I often talk about the course because it was such a turning point in my life. There's a special energy as soon as you enter the school. The lecturers are passionate, the students come from different backgrounds but share the same desire to create. The projects are demanding and stimulating, and really prepare you for the professional world.

GOBELINS gave me a solid technical and creative grounding, but above all an open-mindedness and high standards of quality that are still with me today.

Don't be afraid to follow your dreams. Make opportunities happen. Keep creating and sharing your work. It's not always easy, but that's how you'll get noticed. Go to the people who inspire you, ask them for advice, and you'll find that many are more accessible than you might think.

Don't listen to those who say it's too complicated. Take it one step at a time. An internship or experience abroad can already change everything : it offers a glimpse of a different life, another perspective on your work and on the world. Above all, don't be afraid of the unknown. Getting out of your comfort zone is often where you learn the most and really build yourself up.