The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex will host nine 2026 World Cup games — the most of the 15 venues.
It’s roughly equidistant from the East and West Coast venues, and the southern venues of Mexico City, Miami, Houston. DFW Airport also has direct flights to most other venues.
It’s offering six base camps and will be home of the World Cup’s International Broadcast Center, as it was during the 1994 World Cup. The IBC, charged with accommodating 2,000 broadcast media representatives, will be at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas.
The games will take place in the stadium that’s home to the Dallas Cowboys — in the city of Arlington, 20 miles southwest of Dallas. Preparing for the summer of 2026 involves coordination between the myriad municipalities that comprise the metroplex.
We spoke about the preparation process with Monica Paul, who as Executive Director for the Dallas Sports Commission was instrumental in the 2026 World Cup bid process. She now also serves as the President of the North Texas FIFA 2026 World Cup Organizing Committee.
SOCCER AMERICA: What was your introduction to soccer?
MONICA PAUL: I played a lot of sports growing up, but not soccer. We didn’t have that in the little rural town that I’m from in Texas. So my actual first introduction to soccer was with one of my former staff members when I was at USA Taekwondo. My event manager was a goalie from Louisville. When the World Cup came around, we would find ourselves in front of a TV and she explained soccer to me.
SA: Anything about soccer you find appealing that may be unique to other sports you’ve been involved in?
MONICA PAUL: Even when watching on television, the passion and the excitement of the fans comes through at a different level. The aspect of teams being from all over the world with different cultures also stands out.
SA: The 2026 World Cup is now fewer than 400 days away. Are there any areas of preparation that you’re particularly focused on?
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