FIFA and German Government
launch Official Art Posters for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™

On the occasion of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, an Edition of Official Art Posters has been released in a press conference at the new FIFA World Cup Stadium in Munich on June 9th. The presentation of the Edition was presided by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, the German Minister of the Interior, Otto Schily, and the President of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee Germany, Franz Beckenbauer. Outstanding artists from the six FIFA Confederations have contributed works on football to this Art Edition. Internationally renowned artists like Andreas Gursky, Rosemarie Trockel, Markus Luepertz, Sarah Morris and Tobias Rehberger are among the participants. The Official Art Poster 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ is an Official Licensed Product and communication tool of the upcoming FIFA World Cup™.

The Edition is a project jointly carried out by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, the 2006 FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee Germany, and the Berlin-based art marketing agency Brands United. With this Edition, the World Football Association has created a new category of Official Event Posters as well as a high-end fan item.

At the press conference, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter said : "Football is deeply rooted in cultures, it is not just kicking the ball. This is why I took pleasure in selecting the artwork for this beautiful Edition."

Franz Beckenbauer said : "I am very pleased that world-renowned artists have given attention to football and have made it a subject of their work. The World Cup Art Edition is a most impressive and convincing project within the Artistic and Cultural Programme of the German Government to the 2006 FIFA World Cup™."

In keeping with the slogan of the World Cup "A Time To Make Friends", the Edition includes works from China, Japan, Australia, the USA and Brazil, as well as contributions from the host country Germany. With their artwork, the participating artists will represent both their home countries and continents at the FIFA World Cup™.

The Organizers of the FIFA World Cup™ have not only invited artists from all over the world to participate in the 2006 event with their football art. They have also laid plans to convey one of the next Football Festival's most beautiful facets to the international community. The agency Brands United will cooperate with art galleries and distribution partners all over the World to represent the project in the six FIFA Continental Zones.

The Official Art Poster 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ is issued as both a signed limited and as an open edition of high-quality art prints (offset color lithographs, 97 x 66 cm). Both editions are available on www.FIFAworldcup.com/ArtPoster.