Big dreams of the World Cup finale in the Big D were dashed, leaving fans and businesses with a bittersweet aftertaste. North Texas was on the precipice of soccer's most coveted event, but it will miss out on hosting the 2026 World Cup Final after FIFA announced its decision this past Sunday. Despite the setback, the metroplex isn't crying over spilled milk. Instead, they're gearing up to welcome the flood of fans for the nine matches that will be played at AT&T Stadium, which includes a semifinal showdown.
"Disappointed, extremely disappointed," Christopher Mangena said, as per NBC DFW, echoing the sentiments of many locals after the big reveal that the World Cup Final would grace MetLife Stadium in New Jersey not the mega-structured AT&T Stadium. However, Siobhan Hartley, assistant manager at The Londoner pub in Addison had a more silver-lined view: "We’re disappointed the final won't be here. Definitely; I think there’d been a lot of talks that it would be," she said, "But it's just great for Dallas that we’re going to have so many games here, that really is exciting."
Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, was quick to turn the tide of disappointment into a wave of optimism. With the record number of matches the AT&T Stadium will host, "We will treat each of those games as if it were a final because we want to show the world what this region, and this stadium is all about," Jones stated in a news conference, according to The Dallas Morning News. The commitment to an all-out effort for the matches is palpable, no less meaningful from a regional pride and economic boost perspective.
AT&T Stadium rallies to host five group stage matches, two in the round of 32, one in the round of 16, and the nail-biting semifinal, per the FIFA announcement. FC Dallas owner Dan Hunt, also chairman of the Dallas organizing committee for the 2026 World Cup highlighted the intense action the stadium will see: "Out of nine games, we have four elimination round games, and we have a final match on the group stage, so you have five fixtures that are do or die that are going to happen in this magnificent theater," Hunt said, per The Dallas Morning News. Although missing the Final, AT&T Stadium isn't letting the opportunity to shine on the global stage slip through its proverbial fingers.
Businesses back in the DFW area are prepping for the influx of soccer fanatics. The Londoner pub, for one, is strategizing to capitalize on the event. "Get a lot of beer in. Think about lots of easy food items to be able to have," Hartley shared with NBC DFW, indicating that promotion through social media will be key for football enthusiasts looking for a good time. Whether it's watching a World Cup match or finding fellowship among fans, North Texas is setting the stage to make the most of what the 2026 World Cup has dealt them.
