FIFA WORLD CUP 2026

GOOOAAALLLL! The Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex is one of eleven cities in the United States selected to host the FIFA World Cup 2026™. This month, nine soccer matches, including a semifinal, will be played at AT&T Stadium, temporarily called Dallas Stadium.

Beginning on June 11, 2026, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will welcome fans from all over the world for FIFA’s most historic tournament. This marks the second time the Metroplex has hosted FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). The first was 32 years ago. In 1994, the World Cup came to the United States for the first time, hosting six matches in Dallas. It also served as the headquarters for the International Broadcast Center, where the entire tournament was transmitted across the globe.

Since 1994, soccer’s popularity in DFW has continued to grow. The region is now the second largest youth soccer community in the United States, with more than 200,000 youth athletes playing in the area. In addition, the U.S. Youth Soccer headquarters is located in Dallas. Dallas is also the fifth largest media market in the country, making it a logical choice to once again serve as the home of the International Broadcast Center. The Metroplex also boasts outstanding venues such as AT&T Stadium, Fair Park, and Toyota Stadium, home of FC Dallas, making DFW the perfect location.

The FIFA World Cup takes place from June 11 through July 19, 2026. During this time, fans will enjoy the ultimate experience at the FIFA Fan Festival™ at Fair Park, home of the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. This free event will include live match broadcasts, concerts, games, food, and family friendly fun. Attendees can experience interactive games, giveaways, and contests from corporate partners and host city supporters. Families and children can also participate in the Mini Pitch and Skills Zone, filled with contests, pickup games, and drills to enhance their skills. With an estimated 35,000 to 100,000 fans in attendance, the FIFA Fan Festival™ is the place to be if you cannot attend a match.

“The World Cup is a once in a generation moment, and through the North Texas Sports Foundation, we are turning this moment into a lasting legacy by investing in our communities through safe places to play, public art, sustainability, and programs that expand access and opportunity, ensuring the impact of 2026 is felt for generations,” said Jaime Cabrera, Donor Relations, North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee.

The influence will be felt across DFW. Teams will train and stay at four base camps, which serve as the primary training and headquarters for participating teams throughout the tournament. These locations range from Mansfield to Frisco, including Toyota Stadium, Southern Methodist University, the Cotton Bowl, and Mansfield Stadium.

Hosting World Cup teams is great news for cities with a strong soccer presence. Frisco, for example, is home to FC Dallas, a member of Major League Soccer. The club moved to Frisco with the opening of Toyota Stadium in 2005 and is currently undergoing a multimillion dollar renovation and expansion.

Celina is another community heavily influenced by soccer. This past spring, the Celina High School women’s soccer team made Texas history by winning its fifth consecutive state championship. The soccer legacy is strong and growing in Celina.

Earlier this year, Celina was also introduced to Rodeo Soccer Club, a professional men’s team joining United Soccer League League One, a growing league in the third tier of professional soccer. Rodeo SC is sanctioned as a Division III team by the U.S. Soccer Federation. Its inaugural season will begin in 2027, and it is an affiliate of Texoma FC.

Texoma FC is a semi professional club that competes in USL League Two. The team is based in Sherman along the Texas and Oklahoma border. It is currently enjoying its second season with strong success.

“The World Cup has always marked a turning point for soccer in the United States. In 1994, it helped launch professional soccer as we know it today. In 2026, with the scale, visibility, and infrastructure now in place, it has the potential to push the sport from steady growth into the mainstream,” said Ben Watson, former professional soccer player from Celina and Sherman, Texas, and founder of Rodeo Soccer Club and Texoma FC.

Watson continues, “For North Texas, this is about more than hosting matches. It is a catalyst for long term growth. With millions of visitors expected and billions in economic impact, the 2026 World Cup will elevate the game across our region and across the country. Most importantly, it will inspire the next generation of players, fans, and communities who will carry soccer forward long after the tournament ends.”

Held every four years, the FIFA World Cup is the largest and most prestigious soccer tournament in the world. National teams from across the globe compete for the title of world champion. The tournament is projected to generate a 1.5 to 2.5 billion dollar economic impact for the DFW Metroplex. It will be the largest tournament in FIFA history, featuring 48 teams and 104 total matches, with Dallas hosting the most games of any host city.

The match schedule is as follows:
Match 11, Sunday, June 14, 2026: Netherlands vs Japan
Match 22, Wednesday, June 17, 2026: England vs Croatia
Match 43, Monday, June 22, 2026: Argentina vs Austria
Match 57, Thursday, June 25, 2026: Japan vs TBD
Match 70, Saturday, June 27, 2026: Jordan vs Argentina

Following these games, there will be two rounds of 32 matchups, one round of 16, and a World Cup semifinal.

For more information about the FIFA World Cup 2026™, visit the host website at DallasFWC26.com. There, you will find details about the FIFA Fan Festival™, daily events, match schedules, and helpful transportation and parking tips for events throughout the DFW area.

Congratulations to the DFW Metroplex for keeping the soccer spirit alive and bringing the World Cup back to Dallas.