I am Eva Ingoria and I'm thrilled that Los Angeles
has been selected as one of the main host cities
for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
We can't wait to welcome FIFA and the world to
the City of Angels.
Estoy muy muy emotionado que Los Angeles ayesiros electionada como
una de Las principi pales ciudades para la Copa mundial
de FIFA bente bentis ES.
We can't wait to welcome FIFA and the world in
2026.
Well, it may be 575 days away, but excitement already
building here in Southern California because Los Angeles will be
hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
The host committee wants Angelenos to be more than just
spectators.
They are inviting artists from LA County to step forward
and lend their talents to design the official poster for
the World Cup 26 Los Angeles.
Joining us with all the details on the opportunity.
Vice president of marketing, content and communications for the Los
Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission.
It's Jason Crutch.
Jason, welcome.
Congratulations, man, This is such an exciting thing for, I
mean, the FIFA World Cup.
I mean, it's still hard to believe it's coming to
LA.
2026 opening match.
Absolutely.
It's amazing.
It's going to be huge.
It's going to be exciting.
It's going to be a moment that the world's really
tuning in for.
Yeah.
What?
How did LA become the one of the host cities
and, and what how many games are going to be
played here and what should people expect?
Yeah, absolutely.
So 2026 is essentially the world's largest sporting event.
There's three host countries.
It's going to be host across Canada, Mexico and the
United States.
And then 16 host cities, with LA being one of
those host cities.
There's going to be 48 teams competing 48 countries from
100 and 106 different matches taking place over 39 days.
Eight of those matches are taking place in Los Angeles,
including the US Men's National team opening match.
So on June 12th, 2026, we are truly having an
opening ceremony in Los Angeles for the world around the
United States men's national team.
I mean, it is huge.
If you could give us more of an exam, I
mean, for maybe folks that aren't as familiar, what a
big deal it is for this to be in Los
Angeles.
Yeah, this is truly the world's largest sporting event as
far as each match, everywhere around the globe is a
mini Super Bowl.
Like this is 48 countries, the biggest moment every four
years for their country.
And so I think we're going to see a ton
of that passion and celebration across Angelinos that, you know,
from the diversity of all the different countries represented in
our community, but also across the world.
This is truly going to be a celebration of the
world's best in the world city.
And you're leading the World Cup efforts as as the
host committee here in in Southern California and it in,
you know, it's 18 months away.
We think, oh, it's a long time, but I would
imagine for you it's like the clock is ticking and
there's a lot of stuff leading up to it.
What are some of the things that we can expect?
Yeah, absolutely.
575 days goes faster, right?
It's it's a big project.
There's a lot of logistics that go into it, but
you know, I think that some of the big priorities
are really how we engage the community over the next
year.
We're we're working on opportunities for local businesses to compete
for contracts related to these events through the LASEC Business
Connect program.
We're also working on community programs to grow the game
of soccer in Los Angeles and highlight organizations that are
already doing great work.
And then more importantly, we're building out a 39 day
fan activation calendar.
And so all every day of during the summer of
2026, all the different FIFA activities and opportunities for people
to get involved.
So over the coming months, these initiatives will be rolling
out to the community.
But really trying to build this festival type environment throughout
the entire tournament for Angelenos and tourism, a tourist alike,
to really be part of this.
Speaking of being a part of it, this is very
cool as far as involving the community.
So you're going, you want to ask LA County residents
to design the official poster that will be used leading
up to and throughout the World Cup.
Give us some details about this contest and what exactly
you're looking for.
This is an amazing opportunity for local artists.
They're truly designing the official poster for the FIFA World
Cup representing Los Angeles.
All 16 cities are designing their own poster.
This will represent Los Angeles on the global scale.
It will be seen around the world and this artist,
a huge opportunity to recognize them in the tremendous work
that they do in the art space.
So anybody that is interested, it's available to LA County
residents 18 years and older.
You can go to our website.
I know we'll get there, but Los Angeles fwc26.com to
register and then also submit your design.
The big call to action is the contest closes this
Sunday.
So it's the final world down here.
We've seen an amazing reception so far.
A little over 700 people have already registered from 200
unique zip codes within Los Angeles County.
So an amazing reception.
But we really want you know make sure every artist
understands this opportunity and and can take part in it.
And it's not just the the the pride of being
doing this their prizes and is money.
Absolutely yeah.
We've, we've been working closely with the Annenberg Foundation to
really cascade this message and build an amazing price purse
for the artist.
So the winning design that's going to be selected in
collaboration with FIFA will win $20,000.
There'll be 3 runner UPS that win $2500 and then
the remaining 12 will win $500.00.
So a total of 16 people will get paid out
throughout this contest.
So obviously there's an amazing prize for the winner, but
there is some great prizes all the way down to
16 for people that are spending time on this project.
OK, last question for anyone watching that would love to
get their hands on some tickets.
Yeah.
What do you say to people?
He's going to be Mr.
Popularity over the next 18 months.
Tickets are a hot topic.
Not gone on sale yet, but right now there's an
expression of interest.
Is is the best way to put your name in
on on kind of a waiting list?
If you go to losangelesfwc26.com, sign up for our newsletter.
That's going to be in a wonderful way for us
to continue to correspond with people that are interested.
All right, well, time's ticking.
You better get going.
Once again, the deadline to enter the poster contest for
the World Cup 26 next Los Angeles is this Sunday.
More information, you can go to losangelesfwc26.com.
Good luck.
And when you win it, come on the show.
Yeah.
Thank you, Jason.
Thank you.
Appreciate it.
Yeah, we would love to have the winner back on.
Yeah, absolutely.
Gear.
And so it'd be fun to kind of do a
follow up piece.