SOCIETY AND CULTURE Visa uplifts creators ahead of the FIFA World Cup 26™

As anticipation continues to build for the FIFA World Cup 26™, Visa is championing a new kind of global movement — one where creativity, commerce and culture converge on a canvas as vast as the tournament itself.

Earlier this week, Miami became the backdrop for the launch of Visa's global art collection at a pop-up exhibition titled ‘The Art of the Draw’. Against the vibrant energy of one of the world's premier art destinations, Visa unveiled the initial artists featured in a first-of-its-kind collection and a preview of what promises to be a unique celebration of global creativity.

Creativity as commerce: The heart of the collection

Visa's global art collection is built on a powerful premise — that the same entrepreneurial spirit that drives small business owners also fuels artists. By commissioning more than 20 illustrators from six continents to create visual representations of their home countries, Visa is creating opportunities for creators to showcase their work on one of the world's biggest stages while celebrating the diverse traditions and stories that make football universal.

Each piece in the collection is a bold visual narrative, rooted in the artist's lived experience and inspired by football's ability to unite cultures around the world. From the streets of Austin to the studios of Mexico City, from Miami's neighborhoods to Vancouver's creative scene, these illustrators are translating the beautiful game into art that resonates with fans and communities worldwide.

The Miami event offered an intimate first look at five of these remarkable creators whose work sets the tone for the full collection.

The artists and their works

Darien Birks is an illustrator and design director who spent much of his career as an art director at a major international brand. Now working independently, he explores pop culture, portraiture and everyday objects through a lens of nostalgia and storytelling. His work blends design discipline with expressive illustration.

Cesar Canseco is a freelance illustrator based in Mexico City. His work explores the human form, light and color, combining personal introspection with dynamic visual storytelling. Influenced by 20th-century Mexican muralists and global art history, his art reflects depth and emotional resonance.

Rafael Mayani is an illustrator based in Vancouver, Canada. He studied industrial design in Mexico City and visual arts in Barcelona before developing a distinctive style marked by vibrant color and whimsy. His work appears across media, from picture books to editorial illustration.

Ivan J. Roque is a Miami-born Cuban American muralist whose work reflects the city's color, rhythm and cultural blend. Rooted in Miami's neighborhoods and visual language, his work has been featured in cities such as New York, Dubai and Seoul.

Nathan Walker is an artist based in Austin, Texas. He runs his own studio where he brings stories to life through bold, character-driven work that's full of energy and personality. Fueled by a love of sports, competition and street art culture, Nathan brings a unique point of view to every project and focuses on creating work that feels fresh, thoughtful and visually striking.

A collection that covers the world

Visa's global art collection celebrates the unifying spirit of football and uplifts creators to center stage. At Visa, we believe that creators are small business owners that embody the hustle and drive of the FIFA World Cup 26™.