Hair Artist Kayra Theodore Beads & Braids At Brooklyn’s World Cup

On a dewy Friday afternoon, thousands gathered beneath the Brooklyn Bridge as pre-rush hour traffic zoomed overhead. Stepping into Adidas Home of Soccer—a sprawling 25,000-square-foot activation—you’re greeted by a cheering crowd reacting to Norway v. France on the big screen. This is Brooklyn’s official FIFA World Cup 2026 fan zone—which runs from June 13 to July 19—one of five free fan experiences for every New York City borough. Venturing deeper into the open-air World Cup celebration, renowned hair artist Kayra Theodore is in her element, braiding away, as a featured artist with Adidas Stripes Exchange, a section dedicated to art and fashion at the heart of soccer culture.

Kayra, known for her exquisite, sculptural hairstyles—was on site for the June 26 edition of Adidas Home of Soccer, offering custom flag bead braiding so fans could wear their heritage and team colors with pride. Her installation felt cozy, like a piece of home. Her Haitian flags were up, adorning the artist’s personal corner of the festival overlooking Lower Manhattan just across the East River.

We chatted about soccer and growing up Haitian-American. She described the air of excitement she and her family felt as they witnessed Haiti’s long-anticipated return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974—an undeniable, historic moment for Haitian fans everywhere.

“We were absolutely excited. My family always loved soccer, but to…