FIFA World Cup 2026 final venue has not been confirmed, sources say
ARLINGTON, Texas - FIFA says it will officially announce its game schedule for the 2026 World Cup next month.
A tabloid report suggested AT&T Stadium was chosen to host the men's World Cup Final in 2026, but sources close to the discussions say nothing is confirmed.
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 30: A general view of AT&T Stadium before a game between University of Arkansas Razorbacks and Texas A&M Aggies at AT&T Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Aric Becker/ISI Pho
FIFA says the formal announcement will be released during a special live broadcast on Sunday, February 4 at 2 p.m.
Rumors that Arlington was selected as the home for the final came from a journalist in London, where tournament administrators are meeting this week.
The report also says FIFA will make North Texas its operating base, but FIFA has not confirmed that.
"We remain optimistic about our chances of hosting the FIFA World Cup 26™ Final. We continue to work with FIFA leadership to lay the groundwork as we prepare to host the largest FIFA World Cup™ to date and are eager, like the other host cities, to find out what matches will be assigned to us," said Dallas Sports Commission Executive Director Monica Paul in a statement.
AT&T Stadium in Arlington is competing for the 2026 final with MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and Jets.
There will be tournament games played in Arlington. North Texas is one of 16 host sites for 2026 in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
FIFA's top World Cup executive toured AT&T Stadium last October.
The 2026 tournament will be the biggest ever, expanded to 48 teams with 104 matches.
Peter Welpton co-hosts The KickAround Radio Show on DFW’s The Ticket.
"What I will tell you is for the last few months the running vibe and the word is Dallas will get the final, but you don’t know until you know."
Welpton say the shortlist for the finals came down to AT&T Stadium, LA’s SoFi Stadium and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
"Don’t forget AT&T Stadium can hold 100,000 people," he said. "Bigger than any one of the other facilities. It is weatherproof. SoFi has a roof, but it is an open-air stadium.
Welpton also points to the conveniently close walk to Globe Life Field and Choctaw Stadium for watch parties or fan events, generating even more revenue.
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World Cup 2026: Dallas, AT&T Stadium a top contender for final match
Officials from FIFA are back in North Texas as preparations for the 2026 World Cup continue. They're trying to decide which matches will be played here, possibly the final match.
"Texas also has something California and New Jersey do not have, which is a state fund that helps pay for big events and attract big events," he said. "So that fund will go a long way to pay for the World Cup coming up, but I suspect a lot of it will go towards the modifications of the stadium."
AT&T Stadium’s natural grass field would have to be raised to expand the width and comply with the tournament’s measurements.
A plan Welpton believes Jerry Jones will make happen.
"Let me put it this way. I’ll be shocked if they announce something other than Dallas for the World Cup final," he said.
We know AT&T Stadium is one of the 16 host cities for the 2026 World Cup in North America, but they are obviously pushing for the finals.
AT&T Stadium posted the emoji of the side eyes on Thursday when FIFA said the official announcement will come Feb. 4. Some people online are saying that is alluding that they know something.