World Cup 2026: Dallas, AT&T Stadium a top contender for final match
ARLINGTON, Texas - Officials from FIFA were back in North Texas kicking around ideas for the 2026 World Cup.
Dallas will be one of 16 host cities for the international sporting event. But FIFA hasn’t yet announced which matches will be played here.
It’s rumored that AT&T Stadium is a top contender for the championship match.
Like any good coach, FIFA's top World Cup executive is keeping his game plan a secret.
"I'm not going to talk about the final of course there is a lot of speculation. There's a lot of competition which is great," said Heimo Schirgi, FIFA’s chief operating officer for the World Cup.
On Tuesday, FIFA leaders visited AT&T Stadium to review its operations, pitch management, hospitality, and transportation options.
Of course, there would need to be some changes to the stadium ahead of the World Cup. For example, the Cowboys’ turf would need to be converted to grass.
"One focus is the pitches, the pitch conversion and how to make this a natural grass surface that will actually survive the duration of the tournament which is not easy, which is a huge challenge," Schirgi said.
FC Dallas President Dan Hunt said Arlington is unique because it offers multiple stadiums in one area – AT&T Stadium, Choctaw Stadium, and Globe Life Field.
Texas Live could also be used for entertainment and fan experiences.
"You could cordon this whole area off and do a ticketed event of 200+ thousand. It’s something that has never been seen in a World Cup, especially a World Cup final before. So, this would be something that I think would set the record. FIFA wants to continue to innovate and by doing this we're doing something I'm not sure will ever be done again," he said.
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AT&T Stadium in Arlington was named as one of the 16 locations that will host games for the tournament.
"It’s the spirit and the people that you can see from every single staff member who works at the stadium," said Schirgi. "There is a special warmth here I think that all the people and all the staff of the stadium have. And it also manifests itself how the whole city cooperates. It's a special place. There is a special feeling coming here."
The Dallas Sports Commission pointed out that the World Cup will be the largest event ever hosted in North Texas. If there are eight matches in the area, that’s like eight Super Bowls.
AT&T Stadium to get $180M renovation ahead of 2026 World Cup
The new upgrades are a part of the $295 million renovation plan for the 14-year-old stadium that was announced last year.
Gina Miller, the Vice President of Communications for FC Dallas says you don't have to be a soccer fan to appreciate what it means to have the World Cup in our backyard.
"You can enjoy the FIFA World Cup through the lens of an entertainment experience because you're going to see pageantry on display like you've never before experienced. The food, hospitality, the tailgate culture in the Arlington Entertainment District around AT&T Stadium is going to be unlike anything we've ever before experienced with so many unique cultures from individuals around the world, really integrating right here in Arlington, Texas," Miller said.
An official announcement on which matches will be played in Dallas is expected by the end of the year.