Reports surfaced on Tuesday that Arlington, Texas, will host the 2026 World Cup final. AT&T Stadium, the current home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, would be the winning venue for the massive match.
Despite the rumors, Dallas Sports Commission Executive Director Monica Paul claimed that there has not been a final decision just yet.
“We believe that Dallas is the perfect host for the 2026 World Cup [final],” said Paul. “FIFA has been an incredible partner every step of the bid process, and we expect a host city announcement in 2023. We’re thrilled that soccer fans across the world are eagerly awaiting word from FIFA.”
Nevertheless, there are some notable negatives with AT&T Stadium if it was officially chosen to host the final.
Artificial Turf
AT&T Stadium currently has an artificial field. While they do use a different type of turf for soccer matches compared to NFL games, it is still not real grass. Crews recently installed a Hellas Matrix REAL synthetic turf with Realfill infill at the stadium. Regardless, the turf is more prone to injuries than real grass.
FIFA, however, requires natural grass. This did not stop FIFA selecting a number of hosting locations that traditionally use artificial turf. AT&T Stadium joins SoFi Stadium, MetLife Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Lumen Field, among others, to be users of artificial turf. Each of these locations must use real grass. Therefore, this pitch is temporary, perhaps prone to flaws in putting it together.
State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, could be a model to see how an indoor stadium, like AT&T Stadium, can use real grass effectively. However, other venues for the World Cup would be more reliable in its use of real grass.
Transportation
Public transportation is an issue when going to a game at AT&T Stadium. While taxis and companies like Uber or Lyft get fans to the stadium, there does not appear to be a bus or train from Dallas to Arlington. A taxi ride from the heart of Dallas to the stadium could also cost up to $50.
Of course, public transportation is not necessarily a strong suit of many venues within the United States. That being said, there are likely preparations to be made regarding an uptick in the ease of access for the millions coming to the country for the tournament.
We don’t know of any final decision. But we are proud to have been named a World Cup host city, and we strongly believe Dallas is an ideal location for the World Cup final in 2026 and the International Broadcast Center. @fairparkdallas @visit_dallashttps://t.co/Nw5VVFEmMv
— Mayor Eric Johnson (@Johnson4Dallas) September 27, 2022
Some area hotels do, however, offer shuttle rides to and from the stadium. It would be wise to check ahead before booking a stay.
Stadium Faces East-West
Although most modern stadiums now face north-south, AT&T Stadium faces east-west. This essentially means that fans, and players, can have the sun in their eyes depending on the time of day. This frustrating feature annoyed people inside the stadium for years.
While the stadium does have a retractable roof, there are huge windows on the sides of the walls. These windows allow sunlight in and makes things difficult to see in late afternoons. NFL games with the Dallas Cowboys, which usually kickoff around 4:30 p.m. ET, are under the constant threat of the sun beating in during the game.
When the World Cup comes, and games tack place around that same time locally, the same issues could arise.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Icon Sportswire
200+ Channels With Sports & News
- Starting price: $33/mo. for fubo Latino Package
- Watch Premier League, World Cup, Euro 2024 & more
Live & On Demand TV Streaming
- Price: $35/mo. for Sling Blue
- Watch Premier League, World Cup & MLS
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
- Price: $9.99/mo. (or get ESPN+, Hulu & Disney+ for $13.99/mo.)
- Features Bundesliga, LaLiga, Championship, & more
2,000+ soccer games per year
- Price: $4.99/mo
- Features Champions League, Serie A, Europa League & NWSL
175 Premier League Games & PL TV
- Starting price: $4.99/mo. for Peacock Premium
- Watch 175 exclusive EPL games per season
110+ channels, live & on-demand
- Price: $59.95/mo. for Plus Package
- Includes FOX, FS1, ESPN, TUDN & more
12 Comments
Leave a Reply
Leave a Reply
SOCCER TV SCHEDULES APP
 |
 |
STREAMING OFFERS
 Includes: Premier League + 84 Sports Channels | |
| 7-Day Free Trial | |
 Includes: Bundesliga & La Liga | |
| Sign Up |
|
Includes: Champions League & Serie A | |
| 7-Day Free Trial | |
Includes: Premier League | |
| Sign Up |
|
 Includes: USA, NBC, FOX, FS1 + more | |
| Browse Offers |
|
TheOriginalTom
September 29, 2022 at 2:23 pm
I don’t like the choice of Dallas, but I don’t think transportation is an issue. It’s a World Cup game, the people attending are on vacation. Transportation more a problem when the home team is playing on a Wednesday night, but for big events when people have traveled in for the game, they can get to the stadium early. It is their whole day.
I know FIFA wants a an indoor stadium so they don’t have to deal with weather, but I just think their are more interested choices than a Arlington, TX.
dave
September 29, 2022 at 3:11 pm
I agree on transportation. I believe transit is important for night MLB or NBA where many local fans want to cheer on the home team without hassles such as parking, traffic, finding a sober ride, etc. Garden variety Wednesday regular season games are a good example where plenty of people might skip if it is too inconvenient. I assume people who spent thousands of dollars on airfare, hotel, tickets, etc., will be much more motivated to attend
Mr. Fab
September 29, 2022 at 2:08 pm
LA and NY are too dangerous due to large homeless population, gang activity, and a high rate of violent crimes. Hollywood has set false expectations for both cities. And both are too expensive. Everything found in LA and NY can be found in Dallas and Fort-worth. Angelenos and New Yorkers can’t stop flocking to DFW. They love it here. They seem to find better jobs and opportunity and don’t move back. If I am wrong, then why do statistics prove this. The stadium was meant for soccer as it was modeled after Mexico’s Azteca Stadium. Teams change sides at half time to give equal opportunity if there is claim of advantage on one side of the pitch, so sun should not be an issue. The grass is fine. Jerry has a been hosting soccer games in the stadium for a long time. Get over it. Transportation sucks everywhere, get over it. College stadiums can hold more people than NFL stadiums. So get over it. It makes logical sense for the WC final to be in Arlington. A city comprised of two major cities. Plenty of entertainment, restaurants, nightlife, family activities. Every country knows Texas and loves cowboys (not the team). Your dollar goes a long way in Dallas. Its central to Mexico, Canada, and the US.
locofooty
September 29, 2022 at 3:48 pm
“dangerous, large homeless population, gang activity, violent crime…” Ah yes, there will be no increased security, patrolling, closed areas, the many different rings of security that are applied before going into the stadiums/fan fests once your ticket is processed. Matchdays will be like any other night in those cities! of course! lmao.
Mercator
September 29, 2022 at 3:54 pm
Crime is no better in Dallas…its worse than NYC for sure and probably LA as well. There are a million things in both cities Dallas doesn’t have – the ocean, for one. There is a reason NYC/LA are huge global tourist destinations and Dallas is not.
Plus, wait until all these foreigners realize 50% of the city is armed. Actually I bet the shooting ranges will be sold out – that’s the one big hit when I have friends/family from Europe visiting Texas lol
It should be in LA. The city is better, the stadium is better, the weather is better.
DiRT
September 28, 2022 at 10:39 pm
Cry louder. Maybe someone who cares will hear you.
Why is this crap on on here?
Donald Lee
September 28, 2022 at 9:08 pm
And still, another article on ATT Stadium hosting world cup games without any discussion on how they will fit a 75′ wide field into a 60′ wide space. Have you ever watched a gold cup game from that stadium???
dave
September 28, 2022 at 3:41 pm
How big an issue is transit? As the article notes “Of course, public transportation is not necessarily a strong suit of many venues within the United States”. Even when transit is available, attendees often use other means to get to and from major US sporting events
.
Jerry World regularly hosts large events targeted to out-of-town visitors. Dallas fans might complain that Cowboys home games fall in this bucket. A mix of shuttles, Uber/taxi, driving, etc., seems to work for getting everyone to/from hotels and ATT Stadium
Mercator
September 28, 2022 at 12:21 pm
4. It’s in Dallas.
5. Jerry Jones will be involved.
6. The stadium will be 15+ years old.
I’m still going to go, but this is a huge disappointment. It really should be Sofi.
TheOriginalTom
September 29, 2022 at 2:20 pm
15 years old is still a young stadium. Except to NFL owners who expect taxpayers to build them new ones every 25 years.
JP
September 28, 2022 at 11:51 am
Turf is NOT an issue. All stadiums will have natural grass for the World Cup. Same as in 1994 when Giants Stadium and possibly others were converted.
dave
September 28, 2022 at 3:25 pm
I agree, many of the selected stadiums need modification for the World Cup. NFL fields are extremely narrow relative to FIFA standards, in addition to the turf-grass issue
.
Rumor is ATT Stadium will build a platform over the existing field and low-level seats that is wide enough to support a 105×68 grass field. Not unlike converting a hockey rink to a basketball court, and with similar worries about quality of the playing surface. Not confirmed that is how ATT will handle it, and not yet clear how some other stadiums get to 105×68 grass. With plenty of money and time available, I am confident it will be figured out