FIFA president Gianni Infantino attended Sunday’s Dallas Cowboys game against the New York Jets at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium as the venue continues to be considered to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Dallas and AT&T Stadium will be hosting matches throughout the tournament as one of 16 host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The stadium is also among the finalists for the championship match alongside Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium and New York/New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
According to The New York Times, the host cities still do not know how many matches they will host or when they will be played. They also said they have concerns about the lack of transparency and urgency with which FIFA has treated the selection process.
“The uncertainty makes it difficult to plan,” Alan Rothenberg, former president of U.S. Soccer, told the NYT. “When it all shakes out, it will be a spectacular event. It’s just a little frustrating.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones invited Infantino to attend the game and see the stadium ahead of FIFA’s decision. The president’s presence was announced to the crowd as he appeared on the stadium’s gigantic video board. Jones also ensured Infantino experienced all the stadium has to offer, including meeting star defensive end/linebacker Micah Parsons before the game.
“I think we’re trying every way in the world we can to have the final game here,” Jones told The Dallas Morning News. “We’re going to have games here, but want to try every way in the world to get it done and I need to send Micah.”
While no decision has been made, the Dallas Sports Commission told The Dallas Express that FIFA expects to announce its decision later this fall.
According to Yahoo Sports, FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani and FOX Sports CEO Eric Shanks also attended the game and sat with Infantino in a suite. The FIFA executives are also expected to visit the other two finalists in the next few weeks.
