Along with the places mentioned in “City of (World) Cups and Culture” (pg. TK), there’s also a great piece of soccer art in the Modern’s permanent collection. This directory will help you with the when, where, what, and how much.
City of (World) Cups and Culture
At the Arlington Museum of Art (1200 Ballpark Way, Arlington, 817-275-4600), More Than a Match includes four separately themed components displaying works of art and soccer artifacts, such as shoes, balls, and trophies, now thru Sun, Aug 2. The museum is open 1pm-5pm Sun and 10am-5pm Tue-Sat. For tickets ($25) and more info, visit ArlingtonMuseum.org/morethanamatch
Peticolas Brewing Company (1301 Pace St, 214-234-7600) was born for this moment. As a lifelong soccer fan, founder Michael Peticolas put his love for the game right there in the logo. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the brewery has themed beers on tap and a sports photography exhibit on its walls of more than 35 stunning images from internationally acclaimed Brazilian sports photographer Marcel Guelber Góes. For updates on watch parties and other goings on, follow Peticolas at Facebook.com/PeticolasBrewing.
Street Art for Mankind, a grassroots art nonprofit, has two local installations during the World Cup. “One Field. Infinite Smiles” by Dutch artist Rosalie de Graaf will be on display on a building adjacent to Harold Simmons Park (2601 N Beckley Av, Dallas, 214-740-1616), and the “Texan Golden Boot,” a metal sculpture of a soccer shoe by Nigerian artist Steve Ekpenisi, can be found in Richard Greene Linear Park at the corner of Stadium Drive East and Cowboys Way. It’s a permanent landmark in a free public space, so take your time.
And in Sundance Square (420 Main St, Fort Worth, 817-222-1111), “Summer of Soccer” consists of two dozen fiberglass soccer balls that can be viewed for free throughout the neighborhood through the end of the tournament.
The Art of the Game
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (3200 Darnell St, TheModern.org) is getting in on the action with a special display of a notable work by Burgwas Jess Franklin, known simply as Jess, now thru the end of the tournament.
Acquired by the Modern in 1996, “Montana Xibalba: Translation #2” (1963) is the second work in the artist’s Translation series and is a reproduction of a photograph of a soccer game from a yearbook Jess found in a second-hand shop. The image reminded him of an ancient Mayan cosmological myth in which the birth of the sun and the moon resulted from a ball game between two earthly heroes and the lords of Xibalba, a realm akin to Hades.
The yellow ball in the painting represents the sun, while the athletes portray the heroes. Admission to view the work in the museum’s Grand Lobby is free and can be viewed 10am-5pm Tue-Sun and 10am-8pm Fri.
