As Dallas prepares to welcome the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one of the city’s most iconic public artworks has disappeared beneath tournament branding — and many in the community are furious.
For more than two decades, legendary marine artist Wyland’s massive whale mural covered the side of a downtown Dallas building at 505 N. Akard Street. Stretching 164 feet long and 82 feet high, the mural was created in 1999 as part of Wyland’s effort to raise awareness about environmental conservation, even in landlocked cities far from the ocean.
Now, most of the mural has been painted over to make way for FIFA World Cup promotional artwork.
Wyland says neither Dallas organizers nor FIFA asked for his permission before covering the piece.