Dallas is the main host city for 2026 FIFA World Cup
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FIFA is coming to Jerry World in 2026. Photo: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
The Dallas area will host the most matches of any city during the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup, holding nine games over the 39-day tournament, organizers announced Sunday.
Why it matters: The 2026 World Cup organized by FIFA — the international governing body of soccer — is poised to be AT&T Stadium's largest event since Super Bowl XLV in 2011.
- Each match is expected to represent one Super Bowl and bring millions of dollars and thousands of temporary jobs to the region, FIFA says.
The big picture: Canada, Mexico and the United States are co-hosting the 104-match tournament across 16 cities.
- "This whole calendar has been designed to make sure that the fans can travel with the teams in a way that's not too burdensome," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said during the announcement.
Details: Arlington's AT&T Stadium will host five group stage matches, two in the round of 32, one in the round of 16 and a semifinal.
- It has the largest capacity of all the 2026 host sites, according to The Athletic.
Of note: The opening World Cup match will be in Mexico City on June 11, 2026, and the first U.S. match will be at SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles area.
- The final will be on July 19 at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium.
Between the lines: Local leaders had hoped that AT&T Stadium would be chosen for the final.
- Many news stories leading up to Sunday's announcement had incorrectly speculated that the stadium would host it.
What they're saying: Dallas sports legends Dirk Nowitzki and Emmitt Smith joined North Texas leaders at a news conference at AT&T Stadium following FIFA's announcement.
- "It's a beautiful thing all the way around, even though the disappointment may be there," Smith said of the final. "The nine that we actually have is a beautiful thing that we can build off of."
- He said the matches will help make soccer more accessible to the region's families.
- "I'm excited to show what Dallas and this region is capable of and how nice it is here. People that have never been here will see what a great town this is," Nowitzki said.
The intrigue: Comedian and soccer dad Kevin Hart co-hosted FIFA's announcement livestream Sunday.
- "Dallas. Amazing city," Hart said. "Amazing city and amazing people."
Flashback: The Cotton Bowl hosted six matches in the 1994 World Cup, but soccer was significantly less popular in the U.S. then than today.
What's next: Pre-registration is open for 2026 World Cup tickets.
Meanwhile: This isn't the only international sports tournament coming to the Dallas area.
- Grand Prairie will host four matches, including the opener, for international cricket's T20 Men's World Cup this summer.
- That tournament is also anticipated to bring millions of dollars in revenue to North Texas.