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Inside Dallas 2026: A G r o u p S t a g e N o r t h Te x a s Will Never Forget
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See the Scenes: Group Stage Photos
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Pros At Home
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Latest From The Commission
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Upcoming Events
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Vo l u n t e e r S p o t l i g h t & U S A Wo m e n ’ s Rugby
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FC Dallas Academy Players and Current Players Starring at t h e F I FA Wo r l d C u p
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JUNE
inside Dallas 2026: A Group stage north texas will never Forget By Sam Weiger
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered something North Texas has never experienced before. From historic fan marches across the Metroplex to all-time records being broken in Dallas Stadium, the region is living through moment after moment that will stay with North Texans for decades to come. The city’s introduction came fast. Ahead of the local tournament opener between Japan and the Netherlands, fans flooded streets for the Dutch Oranje Fanwalk, waves of orange stretching far in a scene straight out of Amsterdam. But the wave wasn’t just Dutch. Fans from Japan shocked locals by celebrating with the Dutch rather than opposing them, producing special scenes from fans taking photos together to orange jerseys lifting up their Japanese counterparts. American, Mexican, and other fans joined in, shoulder to shoulder, forming the kind of diverse, unified crowd that Dallas rarely sees in the context of American sport. It was a reminder of the impact that soccer, at its best, can have. That infectious energy carried into bars and pubs across the region. England’s opening match against Croatia turned local spots into something locals had never experienced:
flags hanging from every corner, chants shaking the walls, and a level of raw fan passion that converted more than a few Dallasites into soccer enthusiasts on the spot. Then came the Messi moment. Watching Lionel Messi break the all-time World Cup scoring record right here in our stadium, in our region, was the kind of thing that turns a city into a sports landmark. The greatest player in soccer history created a memory that will be talked about with reverence for decades. Meanwhile, America & Mexico fans have found their own reason to rejoice. The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Mexico topped their respective groups after their second group stage match, punching their ticket to the knockout round with a game to spare. The tournament’s effect reaches all ages of Americans, including the future generations. For example, Oak Cliff children from the Puede Network, a local youth empowerment nonprofit, escorted Dutch and Japanese players onto the field as the world watched. For those kids, it’s a memory that doesn’t fade. For some, it’s the moment soccer stops being something they’ve heard of
4 | A G r o u p S t a g e N o r t h Te x a s W i l l N e v e r F r o g e t
and becomes something they want to play. It doesn’t take much. One moment on the field, one game, one player, one fan event, and a kid is hooked for life.
are experiencing Texas barbecue for the first time. British fans are falling hard for cowboy culture. The World Cup is writing a new chapter in the city’s tourism story.
For Americans and other fanbases without a team in town, Fair Park’s FIFA Fan Festival has been the main gathering point. Free and open to the public, the venue has hosted watch parties for every match and pregame fan rallies that regularly draw thousands. It’s given Dallas residents and tourists of all backgrounds a seat at the table of the world’s biggest sporting event.
When you put it all together, the underlying theme here is straightforward: Dallas, and the nation as a whole, is becoming more globally integrated. Events of this scale trickling throughout North America, are extremely rare. That rarity is exactly what gives the World Cup’s occurrence this year its oncein-a-lifetime feel, and it’s creating a moment of urgency that is one of the big things pulling in Dallas locals and fans nationwide. It’s drawing people into a unique international experience that exposes them to new personalities, values, and traditions that naturally leave a mark on anyone willing to welcome it all.
The World Cup’s fingerprints on Dallas extend beyond the pitch, too. The perfect example of this came when Japan brought their post-match cleanup tradition to Dallas Stadium, and the gesture resonated, as locals have started adopting the practice themselves. It’s one of the quieter but more meaningful ways international culture is reshaping the city in real time. And meanwhile, Dallas is returning the favor, leaving its own mark on tourists. For thousands of first-time visitors arriving from across the globe, this is their introduction to the city, and many are discovering far more than soccer. Japanese tourists
And Dallas isn’t done yet. With more July matches still to come at Dallas Stadium and the FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park continuing to host watch parties for the remaining games, there are still plenty of chances for fans to be part of the World Cup atmosphere right here in North Texas.
A G r o u p S t a g e N o r t h Te x a s W i l l N e v e r F r o g e t | 5
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MEXICO OPENING GAME
ENGLAND VS CROATIA
ULTRA’S FAN GATHERING
SWEDEN TEAM WELCOME
ULTRA’S FAN GATHERING
FIFA FAN FESTIVAL
NETHERLANDS VS JAPAN
JUDE BELLINGHAM
ARGENTINA BANDERAZO
6 | Group Stage Photos
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HARRY KANE
ARGENTINA VS AUSTRIA
JUNE
ORANJE ARMY MARCH
FIFA FAN FESTIVAL
AUSTRIA FAN MARCH
ENGLAND VS CROATIA
LUKA MODRIC
FIFA FAN FESTIVAL
Group Stage Photos | 7
PROS AT HOME IN
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THE COMMISSION Does your youth love sports? We want to hear about it! Enter the Big Dreams Contest for a chance to win two courtside seat tickets for the July 12th Dallas Wings game at the American Airlines Center One deserving winner will win 2 VIP courtside seats to the game and a VIP parking pass. Want To Enter? Follow the steps below! STEP 1: Make sure your youth is registered for the Mayor’s Youth Sports Ticket Program STEP 2: Submit your entry. STEP 3: Wait to hear if your youth won!
Pickleball World Championships Tickets on-sale NOW for Pickleball World Championships Dallas, you’re invited back! The Pickleball World Championships returns for a 3rd time -- the planet’s biggest pickleball event at Brookhaven Country Club, Oct 30–Nov 8. Play it or watch it: every age and skill can compete, and fans get pros, concerts, food & family fun. Use DALLAS20 for 20% off tickets and registration. Come be part of it!
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FIFA WORLD CUP EGYPT VS AUSTRALIA JULY 3 DALLAS STADIUM
FIFA WORLD CUP ROUND OF 16 JULY 6 DALLAS STADIUM
FIFA WORLD CUP SEMI FINAL JULY 14 DALLAS STADIUM
AJGA THE UNDER ARMOUR® JORDAN SPIETH CHAMPIONSHIP JULY 20 - 23 TRINITY FOREST GOLF CLUB
USA WATER POLO JUNIOR OLYMPICS SESSION III JULY 30 - AUGUST 2 MULTIPLE VENUES
STATE FAIR CLASSIC SEPTEMBER 26 COTTON BOWL STADIUM
Volunteer Spotlight
GLENDA HARRISON
“I’ve always believed that the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service to others.” — Mahatma Gandhi. After a 38.5year career as an Electrical Engineer in telecommunications, Glenda now dedicates her time to serving others. Since moving to Dallas six years ago, she has devoted herself to volunteering with the Dallas Sports Commission for the past five years. Through these experiences, she has had the opportunity to explore the city, support various events, and acquire new skills. Her favorite sports are golf, football, racquetball, and girls’ lacrosse. She enjoys events such as the World Food Championship, OT7 Dallas, the FIFA World Cup (SLV), the AJGA Championship, the U-18 Softball World Cup, and the Gold Cup.“
USA Women’s Rugby Comes to Mansfield Stadium Be among the first to secure your seats for an exciting match of international rugby this October. The USA Women’s Eagles will take on Italy in Dallas, click the link below to register for exclusive presale access before tickets become available to the general public. Presale begins June 30 at 10:00 AM ET, with public on-sale starting July 2 at 10:00 AM ET.
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FC DALLAS ACADEMY PLAYERS AND CURRENT PLAYERS STARRING AT THE FIFA WORLD CUP By: Ben Harbuck
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There are World Cup moments that feel big because of the stage. Then there are moments that feel big because they hit close to home. For FC Dallas forward Petar Musa, both were true. In Croatia’s opening match against England, Musa found himself playing in the same market where he has spent the past few seasons building his name. Just before halftime, with Croatia trailing 2-1, the ball found its way into a dangerous area. Ivan Perišić headed it back across goal, Musa stepped into the right spot, and with one clean finish, he brought Croatia level.
feel different. The tournament is global, but the emotion can still feel deeply personal. This summer, Musa is not the only FC Dallas storyline worth following. Two of his current teammates also earned places on their countries’ 26-man World Cup rosters: Don Deedson Louicius with Haiti and Herman Johansson with Sweden. Together, they mark the first time in club history that FC Dallas has had three active players represented at a FIFA World Cup.
In an instant, a player Dallas fans know well had scored on the biggest stage in the sport. Musa’s celebration told the rest of the story. With tears on his face, he sprinted toward the corner flag and was quickly surrounded by teammates, celebrating in front of Croatian supporters who had traveled to watch their country on the world stage. It was one of those moments that makes the World Cup
12 | FC Dallas Academy Players
For Musa, the moment felt almost scripted. He arrived in Dallas as a major signing from Portugal and has become one of the most
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reliable finishers in Major League Soccer. His game is built on timing, composure, and the ability to turn small chances into big moments. Against England, that same calm touch showed up on the biggest stage.
25, giving local fans another chance to watch an FC Dallas player compete on the World Cup stage. On the U.S. Men’s National Team, four former FC Dallas Academy products were selected by Mauricio Pochettino: Weston McKennie, Chris Richards, Ricardo Pepi, and Alejandro Zendejas. Their inclusion is another reminder of the player pathway FC Dallas has built, one that can lead from North Texas fields to the biggest tournament in the world. McKennie’s story is familiar to many local fans. Raised in Little Elm, he began his professional career in Germany, now playing for Italian giant Juventus, and has become a key piece of the USMNT. Pepi, from El Paso, starred for North Texas SC and FC Dallas before taking his career overseas and developing into one of the national team’s most exciting forwards.
Deedson’s journey carries a different kind of meaning. The Haitian midfielder helped deliver one of the most important moments in his country’s soccer history, scoring in a 2-0 win over Nicaragua that sent Haiti to the World Cup for the first time since 1974. For a nation that has faced years of hardship, Haiti’s return to the tournament represents pride, visibility, and hope. Deedson also earned the start in Haiti’s opening match against Scotland, another milestone in a World Cup journey already filled with meaning. Then there is Johansson, the Swedish defender whose World Cup experience has a North Texas connection of its own. Sweden is using FC Dallas’ stadium in Frisco as its Team Base Camp training site, making the club’s home part of the team’s daily preparation. Johansson and Sweden will also close group play against Japan at Dallas Stadium on June
Richards made the move to Bayern Munich before eventually establishing himself as a Premier League center back at Crystal Palace. Zendejas is growing his name in Liga MX for Club America and is already showing promise on the international stage as a dynamic wing option. These personal connections for North Texas soccer fans make watching the USMNT even more special. Every match in Dallas will bring something new: flags, chants, languages, traditions, and supporters from around the world. Woven into that global celebration is something local fans can recognize, relate to, and have pride in. A Croatian goal scorer who plays his club soccer in Dallas. A Haitian starter carrying a nation’s hopes. A Swedish defender training in Frisco. Four U.S. players whose roots trace back to the FC Dallas Academy.
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