US artist sues FIFA for $25 million over destruction of Dallas whale mural for World Cup

US artist Robert Wyland who painted a mural on a building, has filed a $25 million lawsuit in the US District Court in Dallas. The lawsuit names world football’s governing body, FIFA, local World Cup organizers, the building’s owner, and its management company, saying that illegally painted over his work to promote upcoming matches this year.

Wyland alleges that the defendants illegally painted over his mural without his consent or notification to promote Dallas’s upcoming 2026 World Cup matches, “destroying a civic landmark.”

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The management company’s spokesperson said in an email: “ Slate is not being compensated in any way for the use of the wall space and was told by the local groups that Mr. Wyland had been notified.”

The lawsuit cites the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990- a federal law protecting artwork of recognized stature, from destruction even if the artist does not own the physical building. Whaling Wall 82 is a massive, hand-painted piece featuring life-sized swimming whales.

It covered approximately 1,580 square meters across two walls of a downtown Dallas building. It was completed in 1999 and the mural had stood for nearly three decades. This piece was part of an international series of over 100 Whaling Walls created by Wyland to promote ocean conservation.

Moving forward, Slate claims that they donated the wall space for free after local organizers approached them in March.

Slate further states that they were explicitly told by organizers that Wyland had been notified. Furthermore, it is crucial to note that on public appeal, mural’s damages and call for safeguarding public artwork in Dallas has received more than 2,600 signatures.