North Texas Prepares to Host Most Matches of 2026 FIFA World Cup

North Texas is fast becoming the world’s eye for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the region prepares to host the most matches of any host nation. The draw and schedule release have tightened the countdown, positioning local leaders as the focal point of the global tournament.

North Texas as Epicenter

“We truly are the epicenter of World Cup 2026. Period,” said Dan Hunt, North Texas FWC Organizing Committee co‑president, underscoring the region’s central role in the event’s logistics and fan experience. Hunt’s statement reflects the committee’s confidence that North Texas will manage more games than any other venue worldwide.

Challenges and Facility Preparations

“The biggest challenges, moving forward?” Hunt asked, pointing to the complex preparations needed for the tournament. “Working on base camps,” he added, explaining the effort to secure top teams for the five regional facilities. “Working with each of [the teams] to see if we can fulfill what they want is probably our biggest immediate challenge,” he continued, highlighting the need for customized training environments.

Teams are evaluating weight rooms, turf, and other facility aspects, and Hunt noted that several teams visited the sites on Monday for additional walk‑throughs. “We hope that we don’t just fill them, but we fill them with global powerhouses,” he said, adding that hosting Argentina would be a huge honor. The focus remains on attracting elite squads to the North Texas base camps.

Monica Paul, co‑president of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee, identified another major hurdle: coordinating safety, security, and transportation plans. “To be able to mobilize the spectators and fans. What those routes will be, what that timing looks like,” she explained, emphasizing the logistical complexity of moving large crowds to and from venues across the Dallas‑Fort Worth area.

AT&T Stadium Pitch Project

AT&T Stadium’s preparation is led by Chad Estis, a committee member and Executive Vice President of Business Operations for the Dallas Cowboys. “Obviously, when you install temporary pitches in indoor venues, there’s a lot to consider,” Estis said, noting the challenges of creating a world‑class surface inside a large indoor arena. He added that the approach for the World Cup differs significantly from previous installations, requiring years of meticulous planning.

Estis described the current pitch growth process: “We have an irrigation system that’s being installed, we have grow lights that’ll hang from the roof and be lowered. I think it’s rather unique, we’re going to grow grass for nine matches in an indoor stadium over two months,” he said. The grass is cultivated on a farm in Colorado before being transported to the stadium, where local staff will finish the installation under close coordination with FIFA officials.

Construction work to widen the pitch—removing and later reinstalling suites around the stadium—will not commence until all Cowboys games and other events are cleared, expected to be closer to the World Cup games in June. Estis also highlighted a separate $300 million improvement project underway for two years, which focuses on updating floors and furniture rather than the playing surface itself.

Economic and Legacy Impact

Paul cited a study by FIFA and Deloitte estimating that North Texas will generate between $1.5 billion and $2.1 billion in economic impact from the World Cup. “I hope that businesses want to move here because they see what a dynamic community this is. I hope that our international visitors think that this might be a great place to relocate to,” Hunt said, expressing optimism that the tournament will attract new investment and talent to the region.

When asked about the broader legacy of the event, Paul became emotional, comparing it to other major sporting events in the area. “So many major sporting events that take shape here, but this one, you feel the energy, the passion, the opportunity to share your message with the world and continue to elevate your city, your region,” she said. She added that the cultural impact could be significant, especially for young fans: “The opportunity for those young kids to be able to potentially see their idol play, and what we can truly do through this World Cup for legacy in the sport of soccer, but for our region, for the overall sports environment here locally,” Paul said. “It’s hard to kind of put into words of the magnitude of this.”

Key Takeaways

• North Texas will host the most matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• Extensive pitch and facility upgrades are underway, including indoor grass growth and a $300 million stadium improvement.
• A FIFA‑Deloitte study projects $1.5 billion to $2.1 billion in economic impact for the region.

Looking Ahead

With the schedule released and teams touring facilities, North Texas officials remain focused on delivering world‑class infrastructure and experiences. The combination of logistical planning, economic investment, and community enthusiasm positions the region to become a memorable chapter in World Cup history.