World Cup 2026 is upon us! And Dallas-Fort Worth is getting in on the action, hosting a whopping nine matches throughout the event. The group-stage games will feature the Netherlands, Japan, England, Croatia, Argentina, Austria, and Jordan. AT&T Stadium (which has been temporarily renamed to “Dallas Stadium” for the World Cup) will also host two Round of 32 fixtures, a Round of 16 match, and the first semifinal.
Tickets are still available—after all, the venue has a capacity of 94,000—though they certainly don’t come cheap. If you’re looking for ways to catch some of the excitement without shelling out the big bucks for a pitch-side seat, here are some alternatives.
Head to FIFA Fan Festival Dallas
Fair Park is perhaps most well-known as the home of the State Fair of Texas. Yet the 277-acre complex hosts over 1,200 activities every year, and in 2026, that includes FIFA Fan Festival Dallas.
From June 11 to July 19, Fair Park will transform into one of the top soccer hubs in the country. Fans can catch live broadcasts on massive screens, grabbing one of 7,000 covered seats or sprawling out on the grass. That feels more on brand for a soccer game, anyway. Outside of soccer, you can enjoy live music, food, and plenty of culture from all over the world.
Think you could knock in a goal in the 89th minute of a critical World Cup game? Well, you can’t; these are world-class athletes, and they would run circles around all of us. But FIFA Fan Festival Dallas will have pitches with various pickup games and skills contests going on, so you can try your hand against other fans, or at least participate in a few drills. Nothing like getting some cardio before a heart-pumping match.
Watch a match in the park
Frisco is Sports City USA, with entertaining options ranging from FC Dallas soccer club to the Texas Legends G League basketball team to the Frisco RoughRiders minor league baseball squad. Among its many attractions, Frisco is also home to the National Soccer Hall of Fame. It’s no surprise, then, that the city is hosting its own celebration for the World Cup.
The FC Dallas Soccer Celebration in Frisco’s Simpson Plaza will host a 34-day fan festival, and it’s entirely free. Giant viewing screens allow fans to catch the action, while tents, fans, and misters will keep guests cool while offering additional fan activation moments. It’s about as close as you can come to actually stepping on the pitch during a World Cup game, only with way less pressure.
Other parks will also host massive World Cup events. Head to Fort Worth’s Sundance Square for two months of watch parties, public art, live music, and other activities that are fun for the whole family. Art enthusiasts will also appreciate the giant, colorful painted soccer balls adorning the square. Visit Addison Park the first weekend of the event to catch the opening games, or glide over to Klyde Warren Park to watch matches throughout the tournament on a giant LED screen. As a bonus, Klyde Warren Park’s Nancy Best Fountain will put on water shows with a World Cup theme.
Join a bar crawl
The Harwood District is hosting an “Around the World Soccer Bar Crawl,” inviting fans to sample brews from seven countries participating in the World Cup. With themed food and drink specials, branded sweatbands, a DFW Selfie Mirror photo booth, and a pop-up shop from Trinity Dallas FC, you’ll have no trouble getting into the World Cup spirit. Of course, the games will be playing at each stop, too.
For a more photogenic experience, head to Peticolas Brewing, which is featuring incredible images from sports photographer Marcelo Guelber Goes. Over 35 photographs are on display, showing the grit and excitement of soccer (a.k.a football) around the world. The brewery also plans to unveil an exterior installation that includes Goes’s “Ronaldo in the Rain” photograph, which won Best Football Photo in the World Sports Photography Awards. The exhibition is free to visit during the brewery’s taproom hours.
Follow the red ball throughout Dallas
Do you think the color scheme of a soccer ball needs a little more red to it? Sure, this suggestion looks a bit more like a kickball than anything you’d find on the soccer pitch, but it’s happening during the heart of the World Cup, and it’s certainly a clever way to celebrate footy and spread some cheer.
From June 19–28, the Dallas Arts District is presenting RedBall Dallas by Kurt Perschke. The artist has taken his traveling public artwork around the world. RedBall Project features a 15-foot inflatable red sphere that moves around a city each day, appearing at locations announced in advance. Much like an unguarded soccer ball, the RedBall invites people to run towards it. However, you should refrain from punting it several dozen yards downfield.
Fly your country’s colors with pride
America is a melting pot of different nations and cultures. While there will be ample national pride for Team USA, there are 47 other countries competing in this year’s World Cup. That means there are opportunities to support other squads.
Maybe your ancestors are from another country, and you want to show some love to your heritage. You might be fond of newcomers; in that case, feel free to cheer on Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan, all making their first World Cup appearances this year. Or perhaps you just like the color scheme of a club, like Argentina’s slick baby blue and white kits. Even better, Argentina won the last World Cup, so you’re already supporting one of the favorites (at the risk of being called a bandwagon fan, though that’s usually from other jealous people).
Whatever your reason for supporting a team, do it in style. Grab a shirt, hat, flag, pennant, or any other piece of merchandise and display it with pride. Even something like these noisemaker “cheer sticks” is a very inexpensive way to let other people know who you’re rooting for. Sure, someone might tell you to be quiet, but that’s a worthwhile adventure to take.
Other need-to-know info about World Cup 2026 in Dallas
Texas will be hopping for the World Cup. Hopefully, you get to partake in some of the celebrations! Here’s other need-to-know information as the world’s greatest soccer event gets underway.
When is the 2026 World Cup?
The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19. The first games in Texas begin on June 14. Group matches last until June 27, with the round of 32 beginning on June 28.
Where are the DFW World Cup games taking place?
The games will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, which is being called Dallas Stadium for this event. It’s the largest venue in the entire tournament, with a capacity of 94,000.
Who’s playing in the World Cup in DFW?
For the first time ever, the World Cup will feature 48 teams. It’s also the first time three countries have hosted, with the United States (11 cities), Mexico (three cities), and Canada (two cities) playing host.
Dallas Stadium is hosting nine games, more than any other site. Here’s a list of the matchups:
- June 14, 3 p.m. CST: Netherlands vs. Japan
- June 17, 3 p.m. CST: England vs. Croatia
- June 22, 12 p.m. CST: Argentina vs. Austria
- June 25, 6 p.m. CST: Japan vs. Sweden
- June 27, 9 p.m. CST: Jordan vs. Argentina
- June 30, Time TBD: Runner-ups from Group E vs. Group I
- July 3, Time TBD: Runner-ups from Group D vs. Group G
- July 6, Time TBD (Round of 16): Winners of Matches 83 vs. 84
- July 14, Time TBD (Semifinals): Winners of Matches 97 vs. 98
How does the tournament work?
All participating clubs are split into 12 groups of four teams each. The teams in each group play each other once. The top two teams in each group, plus the eight highest-rated third-place teams, move onto the knockout stage, also known as the round of 32. Determining the best teams in each group goes by points, then goal difference, then goal scored, and then team conduct score. Should a fifth tiebreaker be necessary, FIFA will use the team’s latest rankings to determine who moves onto the next stage.
In the knockout stage, or the round of 32, each matchup is single elimination. The winner advances in the tournament, while the loser goes home. The ultimate winner of the World Cup will have to win five games in the knockout stage.
Where can I watch World Cup games from home?
If you don’t want to attend a match in person or head to any of the celebrations around town, you can watch the games live on television on FOX or FS1. The former is broadcasting 70 of the matches, with the latter airing the other 34 games. FOX Sports is also available to stream on services including YouTube TV, DIRECTV, and Hulu + Live TV.
Select matches, including Team USA’s first group stage match, will air for free on Tubi. FIFA has also partnered with YouTube and TikTok streamers to show the first 10 minutes of a match, as well as official highlights afterward. It’s the perfect solution if you can only catch a few minutes at a time. See the full FOX Sports TV schedule and the matches on Telemundo. Enjoy this year’s World Cup!
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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