North Texas municipal leaders at EarthX stated that the 2026 FIFA World Cup is accelerating long-discussed plans to expand public transportation and decrease car dependency across the region.
The discussion came on Tuesday morning, EarthX panel titled “Dallas 2026: How North Texas is Redefining Host City Sustainability,” which focused on how local jurisdictions are “using this moment to accelerate investments and coordination that will shape the region for decades to come.”
Valerie Washington, assistant city manager for Fort Worth, said the tournament has pushed regional partners to move faster on transit coordination and alternatives to driving.
“We are really trying to make it seamless for visitors,” Washington said, adding that officials are working on rapid bus routes, circulator services, and regional partnerships to move fans between cities. “No, you don’t need to rent a car,” she said, framing transit access as a central part of the visitor experience.
Washington said the city is considering increased work-from-home flexibility for city employees during the tournament to ease congestion.
Jennifer Wichmann, deputy city manager for Arlington, said planners are looking at ways to reduce traffic pressure through transit incentives and operational changes, including expanded bus service designed to avoid rideshare surge pricing during peak match periods.
She said transit agencies and cities are coordinating on a system that would allow ticket holders to ride transit services for free during matches, similar to other major events hosted in the region.
“If you get the ticket holder, they get free rides on the transit,” Wichmann said, describing plans for coordinated bus and rail links connecting downtown Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington venues. “So, if they’re in downtown Dallas, downtown Norwood, they just show their ticket. They can get on any one of these buses and kind of either ride the train up to Centreport, or they can take a bus direct from either the downtown or Arlington. And that’s a great thing.”
Wichmann said planners are focusing on walkability, sidewalk improvements, and event-area street adjustments designed to move large crowds more safely. She noted that buses and shuttle systems are expected to help reduce congestion and “avoid surge pricing” on rideshare platforms by providing alternatives for regional travel.
Washington added that FIFA planning has already accelerated conversations about regional mobility, including expanded rail connections, bus service, and pedestrian infrastructure.
Liz Cedillo-Pereira, assistant city manager for the City of Dallas, was optimistic. “It’s all coming together,” she said.
The transportation planning discussions come as North Texas cities and regional agencies finalize mobility strategies ahead of FIFA’s 2026 matches.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Dallas Area Rapid Transit has proposed an $18.2 million transportation plan that includes expanded rail service, express bus routes, and shuttle connections intended to move thousands of fans between Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington venues. The plan, according to the report, includes a hybrid system to connect transit hubs to AT&T Stadium, which lacks direct rail access.
The Dallas Express also previously reported that Dallas officials have considered temporary downtown street closures during the World Cup to create pedestrian zones and fan festival areas, including limited weekend or Sunday closures to accommodate international visitors and event programming.
Officials at EarthX said those transportation and mobility discussions are expected to continue as North Texas prepares for what is anticipated to be one of the largest international events in the region’s history.
