Dallas, Texas – It’s 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 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.
“AT&T Stadium is a world class facility,” said Monica Paul, Executive Director for the Dallas Sports Commission. “It’s climate-controlled, and we are talking about a World Cup in June and July, that’s important. The capacity of AT&T Stadium and the number of people who can get there is important—plus its central location. We are known for hosting big events and want to make them bigger and better. I think this local organizing committee that we have is used to hosting major events and we’re about to elevate our game for this World Cup and take great pride in it.”
“One of the biggest nuances of our bid is with AT&T stadium,” said FC Dallas President Dan Hunt, who also serves as Chairman of Dallas’ host city bid. “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.”
The success of Dallas’ host city bid is down to five years of hard work and collaboration between the Dallas Sports Commission, FC Dallas and the Dallas Cowboys. The tournament is four years away – four years of meticulous planning and organizing – but Dallas and AT&T Stadium have shown they’re up to the task.
“This (moment) means a lot,” Paul said. “People would be amazed at the amount of time and energy and the number of people that have put in time for this bid and the passion that came along with it. This is a commitment, this is a passion of ours to be your partner and we want to make it the biggest investment in the future.”
