Sudarsan Pattnaik creates FIFA World Cup 2026 Final sand sculpture in Puri, wishes Spain and Argentina good luck
Puri, July 19
Renowned sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik has created a large beach sculpture at Puri to mark the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final, celebrating the global sporting spectacle with a message of goodwill for the two finalists.
The sculpture features the FIFA World Cup trophy placed between the national flags of Spain and Argentina, along with the message, "FIFA World Cup 2026 Good Luck For Final."
The artwork wishes both teams success on the day of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final between defending champions Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Pattnaik, who is widely known for using Puri Beach as a canvas for large-scale sand sculptures, has frequently created artworks celebrating major global events.
His latest installation highlights India's cultural engagement with the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final is also set to make history by introducing the tournament's first-ever official FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show. The performance will feature global music stars Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS on one stage, alongside Burna Boy and acclaimed conductor Gustavo Dudamel.
Curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Topps Final Halftime Show will be broadcast live through official broadcast services worldwide. According to FIFA, the event will unite football, music and social impact as "the greatest show on Earth reaches its pinnacle".
Beyond entertainment, the halftime show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise USD 100 million to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children worldwide.
— ANI
Reader Comments
What a beautiful sculpture! Sudarsan ji never fails to amaze me with his creativity. It's brilliant that he uses Puri Beach to promote global events like the World Cup. This is the soft power of India at its best. 👏🇮🇳
The halftime show lineup is incredible! Madonna, Shakira, Bieber, BTS, and Burna Boy all together? And curated by Chris Martin? This is going to be legendary. I just hope the broadcast quality in India is as good as the show itself.🤞⚽
While I appreciate the artistry, I hope FIFA's focus on the halftime show doesn't overshadow the actual football. The final is about the 90 minutes of passion, skill, and drama on the pitch. Let's not turn it into a concert with a game in between. Just my two cents.
Great to see Indian artists celebrating football on a global stage. The sculpture at Puri is stunning. I'm an Argentina fan from the US, and knowing that our final is being honored this way makes me smile. Best of luck to both teams!
The $100 million education fund is what truly excites me. Football and music coming together for children's education? That's the real victory. If even 10% of that reaches quality football programs in Indian schools, it will be a game-changer for our grassroots talent. ⚽📚
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.