Dallas is officially in countdown mode ahead of the FIFA World Cup, and city leaders and artists recently held a ribbon-cutting for a massive new soccer mural to mark the occasion. Before diving into the details of this stunning new work, however, it's worth addressing some important context — because the local art community has had a lot on its mind lately.
Updated June 2026
A Note on the Whaling Wall Controversy
You may have seen news circulating about Wyland's iconic "Whaling Wall" mural downtown, which was recently painted over to make way for a World Cup display. The original artist is reportedly taking legal action over how the removal was handled. Local art activists have gathered over 1,000 signatures and are meeting with FIFA organizers to explore ways to better protect Dallas public art going forward.
To be completely clear: the new mural unveiled for the World Cup is not the one that replaced the Whaling Wall. These are two separate works.
Dallas's New Largest Public Mural: "One Field, Infinite Smiles"
Named "One Field, Infinite Smiles," this monumental work of art stands 150 feet tall and 250 feet wide, officially making it the largest public mural in all of Dallas. The piece depicts four children playing soccer together while holding flags representing Argentina, the Netherlands, Japan, and England.
The Artists Behind the Mural
Internationally acclaimed Dutch artist Rosalie de Graaf led the project, working alongside three talented Texas artists — including one Dallas local. The team painted for 10 hours a day over 15 consecutive days to complete the mural ahead of the tournament.
The mural was painted on the Trinity Park Conservancy building, meaning it directly overlooks the future 250-acre Harold Simmons Park.
Location: 106 W Commerce St., Dallas
What do you think of the new mural?
