Galveston Celebrates World Cup with Juneteenth-Themed Soccer Ball

Artist Ted Ellis paints oversized soccer ball to honor African American history ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup in Houston

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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As part of a partnership with the FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee, the City of Galveston has received five oversized soccer balls that will become public art installations. Acclaimed artist Ted Ellis, known for highlighting African American history and the story of Juneteenth in his work, traveled from Florida to paint one of the balls, which will feature imagery and themes related to Galveston's role in the history of Juneteenth.

Why it matters

The soccer ball art installations are a creative way for Galveston to connect its cultural heritage to the global spotlight of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in nearby Houston. By featuring the story of Juneteenth, the city is honoring an important part of African American history that originated in Galveston.

The details

Ellis spent hours painting one of the 36-inch diameter, fiberglass soccer balls that will be displayed across Galveston in the coming months. The artwork will showcase Galveston's role in the history of Juneteenth, the annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. Visit Galveston says the effort connects the city's cultural roots with soccer's international stage.

  • The soccer balls are expected to be on display across Galveston within the next month or two.
  • A soccer game is scheduled to take place in Houston on Juneteenth 2026.

The players

Ted Ellis

An acclaimed artist widely recognized for highlighting African American history and the story of Juneteenth in his work.

Caitlin Carnes

The senior communications manager at Visit Galveston.

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What they’re saying

“Galveston is true to its history and its culture. It is one of its assets, that's why people come and visit Galveston, Texas, that's an important piece of it. Now, the role that I play in that, I'm in my passion lane as a professional artist. I get to tell that story on an international stage, and the medium of choice is this 36-inch diameter, fiberglass soccer ball that the whole world will see and it will have some understanding of Juneteenth and the City of Galveston.”

— Ted Ellis, Artist (cw39.com)

“It's 250 years of America's history. This was such a pivotal part of our history as a country, as the state of Texas, and as our cute little island of Galveston, so Juneteenth was one of the first ideas that we knew we had to go after for the ball. We actually have a soccer game in Houston happening on Juneteenth, so that was kind of an obvious tie and then Galveston being the birthplace of Juneteenth, we just had to do it.”

— Caitlin Carnes, Senior Communications Manager, Visit Galveston (cw39.com)

What’s next

The five soccer balls are expected to be on display across Galveston within the next month or two.

The takeaway

Galveston's decision to feature the history of Juneteenth on a giant soccer ball installation ahead of the 2026 World Cup in Houston demonstrates the city's commitment to honoring its cultural heritage and sharing it with a global audience.