Texan Golden Boot Sculpture Unveiled in Arlington Ahead of World Cup

Published on May 28, 2026

By North Texas FWC Organizing Committee Communications

The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee, in partnership with the North Texas Sports Foundation and Street Art for Mankind, unveiled the Texan Golden Boot in Arlington on Thursday, May 28, 2026. The Texan Golden Boot, located in Richard Greene Linear Park, serves as a permanent public art sculpture commemorating the North Texas region as host for FIFA World Cup 2026™. 

“The Golden Boot is one of the most recognizable symbols in soccer because it represents players who rise to the moment and leave their mark,” said Dan Hunt, President of FC Dallas and Co-Chair of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee. “To see that symbol reimagined here, with a North Texas identity, says a lot about how this region sees the game and its future.

“This sculpture will become a gathering place where fans connect, stories are shared and local pride meets the global game.” 

Located near Globe Life Field in Arlington’s Entertainment District, the Texan Golden Boot was unveiled during a dedication ceremony featuring remarks from civic and organizational leaders celebrating the lasting legacy being built across North Texas through sport, culture and community impact.

“Arlington is proud to be the permanent home of the Texan Golden Boot, which embodies the spirit of our North Texas region,” said Arlington Mayor Jim Ross. “This sculpture will serve as a lasting reminder of what a monumental moment of hosting the World Cup meant for our city and our region, while also investing in the future of our youth through the power of sports.” 

Forged from locally sourced reclaimed metal, the Texan Golden Boot stands 18 feet long by 11 feet high and weighs over 2,200 pounds. The Texas Golden Boot was created by internationally recognized sculptor Steve Ekpenisi and curated and produced by Street Art for Mankind. The sculpture fuses fútbol’s iconic Golden Boot with the Texas Spur, symbolizing the connection between the global sport and Texas heritage.

“The Texan Golden Boot represents more than a sculpture - it’s the result of collaboration between artists, engineers, and a community that believed in what art can represent,” said Thibault and Audrey Decker, Co-Founders of Street Art for Mankind. “The Texan Golden Boot was designed not just to be seen, but to tell a story - of unity, creativity, and the global language of football, and Steve Ekpenisi’s vision and craftsmanship turned reclaimed materials into something truly iconic that reflects both the strength and the beauty of the game.

“We’re proud to have helped bring this to North Texas and to be part of a legacy that will inspire people for years to come.” 

Additionally, the sculpture, along with the accompanying brick plaza, creates a rare opportunity for the entire community - from families to global brands - to help build a permanent symbol of this historic World Cup moment, while directly funding long-term legacy programs across North Texas communities via the North Texas Sports Foundation. Each donor contributing $500-$5,000 will have the honor of inscribing their name on individual bricks that will surround the sculpture.

“The Texan Golden Boot stands for the legacy and stewardship it will provide during the World Cup and beyond,” said Jaime Cabrera, Director of Donor Relations for the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee. “This sculpture serves as an impactful symbol whose true impact is the opportunities provided with youth access to sport, healthier public spaces, community art and education grounded in values. All of these will help create long-term support for our North Texas communities in 2026 and beyond.”

All funds raised through the Texan Golden Boot and Buy a Brick Campaign are stewarded by the North Texas Sports Foundation and invested in initiatives focused on long-term community impact, sustainability and ethical development.  

About Steve Ekpenisi

Steve Ekpenisi is an internationally recognized sculptor known for his powerful contemporary works created from reclaimed metal. Often referred to as “The Iron Sculptor,” he transforms industrial materials into expressive, large-scale sculptures that explore themes of resilience, movement, and human connection. His exceptional craftsmanship and distinctive artistic language give new meaning and presence to these materials. Exhibited internationally and resonating strongly with public audiences, Ekpenisi’s work is particularly well-suited for projects that will welcome and inspire both local communities and the millions of visitors expected during the World Cup and in the years that follow. 

About the North Texas Sports Foundation

The North Texas Sports Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to leveraging major sporting events to drive long-term community impact. As the philanthropic entity supporting FIFA World Cup 2026 legacy initiatives in North Texas, the Foundation stewards and distributes resources to programs that expand access to sport, promote health and wellness, support public art, and strengthen communities across the region. The mission is to remove barriers, counter community decline, and build healthy, secure, environments where everyone can thrive. The Foundation’s commitment extends far beyond any single sporting event. The North Texas Sports Foundation is grateful to its major donors - EcoHash, Cabrera Capital, Bioworld, Dell Technologies, Dee Dee & F. Thaddeus Arroyo, Guillermo Perales, Hirsch Ventures, Hoblitzelle Foundation, Melec Trejo, Matt Davis, Lyda Hill, Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, Patti & Rick Baker, Oncor, and Reliable Construction.

About The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee

The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee is the official entity responsible for planning and delivering the FIFA World Cup 2026™ experience in North Texas. As one of the tournament’s key Host Cities, Dallas will welcome teams and fans from around the world, hosting nine matches at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, the International Broadcast Center at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, and a multi-week FIFA Fan Festival™ Dallas at Fair Park. The Official Dallas World Cup Host City Supporters are UT Southwestern Medical Center, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, Choctaw Casinos, Dallas Cowboys, Daniel L. Hunt and the North Texas Sports Foundation - who will all play key roles in supporting community and Legacy initiatives aligned with the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee.