The Dallas Express has received media accreditation from FIFA for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, giving DX access to cover the largest sporting event ever staged on North American soil.
The timing could not be better. North Texas will host more World Cup matches than any other venue in the tournament.
FIFA will stage 104 matches across 16 stadiums in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Dallas Stadium, the tournament name for AT&T Stadium in Arlington, will host nine matches in total, including a semifinal on July 14, according to FIFA.
England, Argentina, the Netherlands, Japan, Croatia, Sweden, Austria, and Jordan will all take the field in North Texas this summer.
Two national teams, Sweden and Czechia, will also set up official training bases in Texas. Sweden will use Toyota Stadium in Frisco, while Czechia will use Texas Health Mansfield Stadium, according to FIFA.
For fans without tickets, FIFA’s official Fan Festival at Fair Park will turn the 277-acre Art Deco grounds into a free, open-air hub with live music, giant screens, and World Cup programming. The site can host up to 35,000 visitors at once.
Complete Dallas Match Schedule:
Group Stage
Match 1 – June 14 | Netherlands vs. Japan (Group F)
The Dutch bring European pedigree; Japan brings organized intensity and discipline that have made them consistent World Cup threats.
Match 2 – June 17 | England vs. Croatia (Group L)
A crucial rematch as Croatia knocked England out at the 2018 World Cup semifinal stage. Expect a highly charged atmosphere in Arlington as England’s star-studded squad looks for revenge against a resilient Croatian team.
Match 3 – June 22 | Argentina vs. Austria (Group J)
The reigning world champions take center stage. Defending its 2022 Qatar title, Argentina will likely draw one of the biggest crowds of the group stage.
Match 4 – June 25 | Japan vs. Sweden (Group F)
A must-watch matchup with knockout implications on the line.
Match 5 – June 27 | Jordan vs. Argentina (Group J)
Under the lights in Arlington, Jordan faces the defending world champions in a prime-time showcase.
Knockout Rounds
June 30, 1 p.m. CT: Round of 32, Group E runner-up vs. Group I runner-up
July 3, 2 p.m. CT: Round of 32, Group D runner-up vs. Group G runner-up
July 6, 3 p.m. CT: Round of 16, TBD vs. TBD
July 14, 3 p.m. CT: Semifinal, TBD vs. TBD
The World Cup officially kicks off June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with the final scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
For the weeks in between, Texas will sit near the center of the soccer universe, and The Dallas Express will be there to provide consistent live coverage for North Texas readers.
