The Wyland artist filed a lawsuit against FIFA and two real estate companies in Dallas, Texas, asking for a $225 million compensation due to his famous wall painting being painted last month to serve a project involving the 2026 World Cup.

The lawsuit was filed to the Northern Texas Federal Court, targeting FIFA, Company 3PZ Property and Slate - two units owned and operated the building where the work was painted.

Part of the wall painting, known as 'Wharling Wall 82' by the artist Wyland, can still be seen on the right side of the building, though this section was painted on Monday, May 18, 2026, in Dallas. Image: AP

The work known as Ocean Life, or Whaling Wall 82, is one of 103 Wyland paintings made around the world to raise awareness of ocean conservation and marine life. The painting stretched over the two sides of a building in downtown Dallas, about 25 metres (25 m) high and nearly 50 metres (50 m) long on the widest side, becoming the city's familiar image for nearly three decades.

In May, much of the painting was painted blue for space for a 2026 World Cup promotion project. Kerry, the city of the state of Texas, will be the site of the 9 games of the tournament.

The Act of Protection of the Artist's Rights to the Works is publicly displayed. "The defendants have deliberately painted and destroyed the Dallas wall permanently without asking Wyland's permission", lawsuit. "No one gets the text out of the right or written consent from the artist according to federal law. "

The removal of the painting caused a strong reaction in the Dallas community back in May. Many people expressed resentment when they saw the workers using the lift car to paint over the work, while it was unclear who allowed it.

"People of Dallas lived with this wall", Wyland said in a statement. "They drove by it, photographed it, kept memories of it and considered it part of the city's identity. Standing up to protect that is responsibility".

Lawyer Andrea Perez, representing Wyland, claimed that the case was not only for the rights of the client but also to emphasize the value of public art. "To set clear boundaries to artists, communities and real estate owners take seriously before such works are removed" she said.

FIFA GE Infantino chaired the World Cup Gold Cup Cup while speaking at the opening of the 2026 International Television Center in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Dallas Conference Center, Texas, American Day/2026. Image: Reuters

In email feedback, FIFA claimed to have nothing to do with the incident and offered to transfer questions to the Northern Texas World Cup Department. Back in May, Wyland wrote a request to end his behavior to remove the work to 3PZ Property, FIFA, the state of the city of Dallas and the Northern Texas World Cup organization to prevent the rest of the painting from being painted.

According to lawyer Luke Nikas in New York, who did not participate in the lawsuit, Wyland's greatest advantage was that the work was placed in prominent and cultural positions for the local community. He argues that the most important defense of the building owner will be to prove that there are earlier agreements that allow modification or removal of the work. Without such agreements, Wyland had the opportunity to win a significant lawsuit, even though a rate of a fee of $25 million would likely be considered thoroughly.

The majority of the main side of the painting has been painted, leaving only a small corner to the upper right. An adjacent wall has not been affected. The North Texas Regional World Cup department previously stated the smaller picture would be kept, but refused to comment on the lawsuit. It is not clear whether the project's plan to deploy new projects on this wall will continue.

FIFA faces this lawsuit in the context of being investigated by the U.S. officials on the 2026 World Cup fare policy, with the charge of applying absurd prices and misleading seating positions. The agency may be forced to repay fans if the violation is determined.

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