Official Poster

The official poster for the 1938 FIFA World Cup in France was designed by the French artist Henri Desmé. It is a quintessential example of late Art Deco design, featuring a powerful, heroic-style figure of a footballer who dominates the composition.

Henri Desmé

Henri Desmé was a French graphic designer and illustrator primarily active in the 1930s and 1940s. He is most famous for creating the official 1938 FIFA World Cup poster after winning a design competition organized by the French Football Federation.

Desmé frequently utilized stencil techniques and vivid, contrasting colors. His work often mirrored the political and cultural climate of pre-war Europe, blending commercial appeal with a sense of "sculptural power".