World Cup Soccer returns in 2026 with host cities already preparing for the big event. The 104-game tournament, the largest in its history, will feature 48 teams across 16 host cities in three countries—Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
FIFA World Cup 2026
Arlington is one of the host cities, although promotional materials refer to us as ‘Dallas’ and AT&T Stadium as ‘Dallas Stadium.’ We’re still working on rectifying that. FIFA prohibits sponsorship in the stadium names—unless they’re already an official FIFA sponsor—but many supporters, including Mayor Ross and others, rightfully want it to be called Arlington Stadium instead.
Dallas’ Host City Poster—created by Fort Worth-based artist Matt Cliff
Although Arlington wasn’t awarded the World Cup Final, we are getting nine games—the most of any host city—including one of the semi-final games. Some equate that to hosting nine Super Bowls in a month, certainly a Herculean feat.
Map showing the 2026 World Cup Host Cities—www.fifa.com
Indeed, these games will be much larger in scope than typical sporting events in Arlington, with little space between each one. The games will have a worldwide audience, with thousands of international soccer fans visiting the area. Many visitors may stay longer than a weekend to watch multiple games, and/or there will be a continual influx of visitors coming and going. Both scenarios present challenges and opportunities.
Below are the games that Arlington will host:
- Sunday, June 14—Match 11
- Wednesday, June 17—Match 22
- Monday, June 22—Match 43
- Thursday, June 25—Match 57
- Saturday, June 27—Match 70
- Tuesday, June 30—Match 78
- Friday, July 3—Match 88
- Monday, July 6—Match 93
- Tuesday, July 14—Match 101 (semi-final game)
AT&T Stadium in Arlington is no stranger to hosting large events, though. In addition to being home turf for the Dallas Cowboys, the stadium has hosted the NBA All-Star Weekend, the Super Bowl, and WrestleMania; also, college football games, boxing, Monster Jam, motocross, rodeos, and many high-profile concerts. The stadium has also hosted nearly 20 soccer matches over the years, including the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
AT&T Stadium in Arlington
While Arlington is the host city, the impact—and preparations—are felt across Dallas-Fort Worth.
The long laundry list of preparations partly includes:
- operational logistics
- infrastructure, especially streets, sidewalks, and improvements and expansions at Arlington Municipal Airport
- public transportation (which remains a hot topic in general)
- public safety initiatives
- human rights concerns (such as human trafficking, labor rights, immigration, and travel bans)
- beautification and cleanliness
- sanitation (tons more trash to dispose of during the games)
- advertising and marketing
- readying the stadium
- managing disruptions to residents and resources
Officials expect the World Cup to have a $2 billion impact on North Texas, in addition to the lasting improvements made in preparation.
In addition to the soccer games, there will be a fan festival, base camps throughout the area, training and practice sites, Ambassador Row (a centralized location for embassies to provide support and services), media relations, and the International Broadcast Center in Dallas. A good test of our readiness will be the Arlington Grand Prix in March, just a few months before the World Cup.
The soccer games are a chance to showcase our hospitality and amenities for international visitors. Officials estimate that more than half of the visitors to Arlington for the World Cup will be from different countries. And, although Mexico has a voracious appetite for soccer and three host cities in the World Cup, one official estimates that at least 10% of the fans at the Arlington games will travel in from Mexico. ¡Bienvenidos, amigos! Esperamos que les guste nuestra ciudad.
The following teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup: USA, Mexico, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Iran, Argentina, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Brazil, and Ecuador. Additional teams will be announced later.
The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
What’s in it for me?
As for me, I’m looking forward to the influx of international culture, maybe even more so than the games themselves. Nonetheless, I want these games to be a success for Arlington. I want visitors to feel safe, welcomed, and accommodated. I also want them to know that Arlington is more than our Entertainment District and that we’re not Dallas. I would love to see our International Corridor highlighted, as well as downtown, our culture offerings, public art, rich history, small businesses, and local restaurants.
I’d like to see a game in person, especially if I could get discounted tickets. The atmosphere would be electric inside the stadium! The fan fest sounds cool; I hope there’s an international market and cultural showcase with food and entertainment. It seems like there would be plenty of opportunities for that. There are also some volunteer opportunities, which could be a way to get involved behind the scenes.
Whether you’re a soccer fan or not, it’s an exciting chapter of our city’s history.
About the World Cup
The FIFA World Cup began in 1930 and is an international football (soccer) competition contested by the senior men’s national teams. Held every four years, it is the most widely viewed and followed sporting event globally, attracting billions of viewers.
Its international impact and appeal are immense, fostering global unity and cultural exchange as diverse nations compete and fans converge. Beyond the sport, it generates significant economic benefits for host countries through tourism and infrastructure development. The World Cup creates a shared global experience that transcends borders and unites people.
Many credit the 1994 World Cup, in which the U.S. was the host country—and Dallas a host city and the Cotton Bowl a venue—as contributing to soccer’s popularity across the region and the country.
Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 06-11-25
Jason S. Sullivan 