Dallas, Texas – It was a big, big day for the city of Dallas.
Thursday afternoon, Dallas was selected as a host city for the FIFA 2026 World Cup™ when the globe’s biggest sporting event comes to North America in four years. Eleven cities in the U.S., three cities in Mexico and two in Canada round out the hosts in what will be the first World Cup held across three different countries.
The honor means Dallas and AT&T Stadium will host World Cup matches in the summer of 2026 but the exact amount (and which rounds) will be decided at a later date, likely early next year.
“The quality of the bid we put forth is amazing,” said FC Dallas President Dan Hunt, who also served as chairman of Dallas’ host city bid. “The effort and team that came together was really, really impressive…this great city has so many events that are top notch, and Jerry (Jones) has had a number of them out at AT&T Stadium, but we have them all over the Metroplex all the time. I think the quality of the bid is undeniable.”
“The longer I’m in sports, the more I realize just how meaningful soccer is to this world,” said Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, in a press conference after the announcement. “And to be able to participate in this event, one that takes years of planning and investment, passion, to have these games is really awesome and inspiring. Our stadium was built to have great, great events—not just American Football. I say that because it is a privilege to have it here and to be a part of this great announcement.”
FIFA 2026 World Cup™ Host Cities:
- Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
- Boston (Gillette Stadium)
- Dallas (AT&T Stadium)
- Guadalajara (Estadio Akron)
- Houston (NRG Stadium)
- Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium)
- Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium)
- Mexico City (Estadio Azteca)
- Miami (Hard Rock Stadium)
- Monterrey (Estadio BBVA Bancomer)
- New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)
- Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)
- San Francisco Bay Area (Levi’s Stadium)
- Seattle (Lumen Field)
- Toronto (BMO Field)
- Vancouver (BC Place)
Dallas’ host city bid was bolstered by its growing infrastructure, two major airports, ample hotel space and vibrant soccer community. But perhaps its biggest hosting asset is AT&T Stadium, a venue that’s held plenty of international soccer tournaments in the past.
“One of the biggest nuances of our bid is with AT&T stadium,” Hunt explained. “You have Choctaw Stadium and Global Life Field next to it. There's really no situation anywhere in the entire world that has three major stadiums right next to each other. We could do something that is so incredibly creative. And you also have Texas Live out there and the new hotels being built. Part of our pitch to FIFA is we literally can throw the biggest party in the world for the World Cup.”
Pending the 2026 match schedule, there’s a chance FC Dallas players could be suiting up for the U.S. Men’s National Team in a World Cup in their own backyards. The club and its Homegrown talent were instrumental in the USMNT’s 2022 World Cup qualification, and they could play a similar role in four years’ time. Playing a World Cup in your hometown is a once in a lifetime opportunity but it’s a real possibility for some of FC Dallas’ Homegrown standouts.
“Going to World Cup is on my bucket list and what better way to go to one than it to be brought to you, so I'll for sure be at the games as a spectator or player,” FCD midfielder and DFW native Paxton Pomykal said. “I may not even have to leave home to go see a game. It's pretty unbelievable and I'm really excited.”
