How LeRoid David Wove His Roots into the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Poster
Written by Shaina Manlangit
May 21, 2025
LeRoid David, a second-generation Filipino American and native of the Bay Area (now based in Sacramento), didn’t begin his creative journey in a studio. It started as a kid sketching cartoons and comics in San Francisco, drawing purely for the love of it—with no grand plan, just passion.
Today, that same passion has landed his art on one of the world’s biggest stages: as the Official SF Bay Area Host City Poster for FIFA World Cup 26™.
“I freelance as an illustrator and graphic designer,” LeRoid explains. “I started having a family at an early age, so I had to shift my priorities—working nine-to-five and taking on as many jobs as I could. At one point, I had to completely put art on the side because I couldn’t make time for it. But where I am now in life, I’ve been blessed to find a balance—working a regular job during the week, taking care of my family, and still making time for art. These last five years in particular, I’ve been absolutely blessed to do some amazing projects—especially sports-related, which has always been a dream of mine.”
That balance led to collaborations with the San Francisco Giants, 49ers, Warriors, and Sharks. But LeRoid never boxed himself into one lane. “I’ve never limited myself to just doing art for one thing, like sports,” he says. “I’ve always been open to projects with small businesses, local communities, and things of that nature.”
LeRoid’s first major break came unexpectedly, through a piece of fan art he created for Bay Area radio legend Chuy Gomez. As a longtime fan during the golden era of local radio, LeRoid sketched a cartoon of Gomez purely for fun. When he had the chance to meet the DJ in person, he handed over the illustration as a gift. To his surprise, Gomez loved it—and decided to use the drawing as his official logo.
That moment shifted everything.
“It was the first time my work was seen by hella people. Up until then, my art stayed within school—yearbooks, school newspapers, local contests. Doing Chuy Gomez’s logo gave me confidence. It gave me that boost where I thought, okay, if he likes my stuff, maybe I can do bigger things too. That’s when I really started working on elevating my artwork.”
That belief carried him forward, especially in service to the Filipino community. From winning the Growing Up Asian in America art contest in the ‘90s to being the original artist for the Lumpia movie, LeRoid has consistently embedded culture and identity into his work. “I’d draw myself surrounded by friends and family, with subtle notes of food, heritage, jobs—and I’d always throw in the Philippine flag.”
His impact soon expanded into entertainment. He became a frequent collaborator with Patricio Ginelsa, working on culturally meaningful projects like the Black Eyed Peas’ The Apl Song music video. His caricature-style illustrations also became a defining element of The Lumpia Co. brand. “It started as fun—fan art again—and next thing you know, it became part of their identity. You go to Oracle Park, and those cutouts are the first thing you see.”
Still, nothing compares to the moment LeRoid learned his design was selected to represent the Bay Area on a global stage.
“It just put me on this crazy emotional high. I started to reflect on everything—all the years of creating. My mom kept every single piece of art I ever made, from elementary school sketches to contest entries. It all made sense.”
While his FIFA World Cup 26™ poster doesn’t overtly showcase his Filipino roots, the influence is there for those who look closely. “The colors, for one. I didn’t make it too obvious, but for this project I really wanted to focus on the Bay Area. Still, there are color schemes that reflect the Philippine flag—I did that on purpose. It’s something I naturally do whenever I work on any project.”
“I’m always thinking about my community. The color schemes not only reflect my Filipino heritage, but also Bay Area sports teams—yellow and blue for the Warriors, orange for the Giants, red and gold for the Niners, and even that lavender from the Valkyrie. I wanted to pay homage not just to sports, but the Bay Area as a whole.”
“And the sun—there’s this radiance around it. Not only because the World Cup takes place during summer, but also because I was thinking of the flag, the colors, and the symbolism. You won’t see any stars there, but it’s all intentional.”
Now, as a father of four, LeRoid sees his art as part of a bigger picture: a way to build legacy and cultural connection through creativity.
“I look at my art as a way to pass that story to my kids,” he says. “To create something they can grow and learn from. To know their dad did something positive and impactful, and that he was always involved with his community—especially the Filipino American community.”
He admits he doesn’t always have the words to express the full weight of his journey. But he doesn’t have to. Through bold lines, vibrant colors, and heartfelt tributes, LeRoid’s work tells a powerful story of resilience, representation, and pride. His art now stands on a global stage—not just as a win for one artist, but as a shining moment for Filipino American creativity, identity, and community.
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