Frisco - February 2024

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BY SAMANTHA DOUTY & COLBY FARR

Dallas-Fort Worth to host nine 2026 FIFA World Cup matches

AT&T Stadium, located in Arlington, will host nine matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ocials announced Feb. 4. Following FIFA’s match schedule announce- ment, local ocials including mayors from Frisco, Fort Worth, Dallas and Arlington discussed the collaboration that went into cinching the matches. “Nine games is bringing a whole lot of money to the North Texas area,” Arlington Mayor Jim Ross said. In a nutshell Dallas-Fort Worth is hosting more matches than any other city during the tournament. “We now have the opportunity to host the world,” Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said. “There is a real opportunity to showcase what the city has become. This is the Dallas we want the world to see and they are going to see that in 2026.” In 1994, Dallas served as a World Cup host city with matches played at the Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mexico City will host the 2026 World Cup’s opening match June 11. Toronto will open the tournament for Canada on June 12. Los Angeles will host the U.S. opener on June 13. The nal match will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, ocials announced Feb. 4. Leading into the nal, the bronze medal semi-nal match will be hosted in Miami. Zooming in Frisco Mayor Je Cheney said the regional mayors typically compete against each other for projects but the World Cup has joined the region. Soccer is a major asset to Frisco with FC Dallas calling the city home along with the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Cheney said. In preparation

Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones celebrates during the 2026 FIFA World Cup match schedule announcement.

COURTESY TONY FAY PUBLIC RELATIONS

AT&T Stadium matches

for the matches, Frisco has poured $100 million into The Rail District, he said. With nine matches being held in the region, FC Dallas President Dan Hunt said it increases the likelihood of visiting teams to choose neighboring areas as home cities. He mentioned that Frisco has locations that may be of interest including Toyota Stadium, which is the home stadium for FC Dallas. The World Cup will impact Frisco’s families for generations, Cheney said. “In Frisco, it’s going to mean so much more even after we host the games,” Cheney said.

Group Stage

June June 14 17 22 25 27 June June June

Round of 16

July 14 Semi nal

Round of 32

June July 30 3 6 July

SOURCE: FIFACOMMUNITY IMPACT

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