FROM THE PITCH FROM THE PITCH
Natalie Bettger (NCTCOG), Michael Morris (NCTCOG), Monica Paul (NTFWCOC), Karla Windsor (NCTCOG)
North Texas FWC Organizing Committee and North Central Texas Council of Governments Unveil FIFA World Cup 2026™ Transportation
Volunteers planting trees in Arlington, TX
FROMTHEPRESIDENT
Greetings once again, North Texas Soccer Fans!
As the calendar turns to April, we are happy to share the latest progress within the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee
To begin – we are overjoyed to congratulate both Czechia and Sweden on winning their respective final matches in the European Playoffs and qualifying for FIFA World Cup 2026! And more importantly, we cannot wait to officially welcome both teams who will setup Base Camps in North Texas, with Czechia at Mansfield Stadium and Sweden at FC Dallas Stadium!
Off the pitch, the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee joined the North Central Texas Council of Governments - along with other transit authorities and city officials – to unveil the FIFA World Cup 2026 Transportation Plan for the North Texas region Leaders highlighted key elements of the transportation plan, including how guests in town during the tournament can use the region’s multimodal transportation system to travel to Dallas Stadium in Arlington during the tournamenthigh nine matches held at the stadium this summer, FIFA Fan Festival™ Dallas at Fair Park, the International Broadcast Center and other related events across the Dallas-Fort Worth area
Also, at an event in late March, our team joined the City of Arlington, the Arlington Parks, Recreation and Culture Department, partners and volunteers as we planted 18 trees at Dr Robert Cluck Linear Park as part of a regional sustainability initiative ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026. Events like these help us continue to make an impact on the sustainable future across our North Texas region, while giving back to our communities.
As we near closer to the tournament, our focus continues to be on making an impact across our local North Texas communities, and we ’ re excited to share more updates soon
Cheers,
Monica Paul, NTFWCOC President
Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, Monica Paul (NTFWCOC), Kevin Morgan (Choctaw Casinos & Resorts)
Texan Golden Boot
Join the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee and North Texas Sports Foundation in celebrating the World Cup legacy through the Texan Golden Boot sculpture, Buy a Brick campaign
Located in the Arlington Entertainment District, just steps away from AT&T Stadium, this one-of-akind sculpture made from reclaimed Texas metals fuses fútbol’s iconic Golden Boot with the Texas Spur, honoring both global passion and local pride With a donation, your name will be engraved on a brick surrounding the sculpture, creating a permanent mark that carries your legacy forward and builds momentum for generations to come Each brick becomes part of a lasting foundation, a visible and enduring tribute that will stand for years as a symbol of unity, impact, and North Texas pride while funding sports-driven legacy programs across the region.
4x8 Brick $500
8x8 Brick $1000 12x12 Brick $2500
12x12 Brick w/ Logo $5000
MAKINGMEMORIES:FIFAFANFESTIVAL™DALLAS EXTENDSFAIRPARK’SFIFAWORLDCUPLEGACY FROM1994TO2026
By Jon Arnold
Andy Swift loves the Cotton Bowl He knows he’s not alone
An integral part of the Dallas soccer scene for decades, Swift worked as a researcher at the stadium during the 1994 World Cup He later became general manager of the Dallas Burn when the team played in the Cotton Bowl and served for more than a decade at the Dallas Cup, the celebrated youth tournament that brings teams from around the world to North Texas each spring Currently, Swift serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors with The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee
It is during the Dallas Cup that he often observed young players from Brazil, the Netherlands, Korea, Germany and elsewhere buzzing with excitement as they prepare to
take the stadium’s field for the tournament’s opening ceremony
“Those kids weren’t born in 1994, but they knew their team had played a World Cup game in that stadium, and they were about to walk on the pitch,” Swift says “For them, it was a huge deal That’s the kind of legacy that World Cup matches leave behind, even for those that weren’t alive They recognize what that building is”
With FIFA World Cup memories of 1994, the Cotton Bowl and Fair Park will once again take on another starring role for FIFA World Cup 2026™.
The Cotton Bowl will serve as a venue-specific training site, with teams going through final preparations for their games at Dallas Stadium on the pristine pitch
1994 FIFA World Cup in Fair Park at the Cotton Bowl Stadium, Dallas, Texas
Photography provided by FIFA
While fans won’t be allowed to take the Cotton Bowl pitch like so many future stars do during the Dallas Cup, they’ll see it as they head to The Pavilion at Fair Park and the adjacent parking lots hosting FIFA Fan Festival™ Dallas
“The structure allows it to welcome fans from all over the world, even more than in 1994, which were pretty awesome during that time,” Swift said “It was where Dallas and the North Texas area welcomed the world That’s where the soccer fan coming from outside the area congregated because there wasn’t an official Fan Festival in 1994. Instead, the Cotton Bowl area and Fair Park was the congregating area for fans that came from abroad
“By having it there again in this World Cup, we ’ re replicating what already was happening organically in 1994”
There will be organic moments during FIFA Fan Festival™ Dallas, as fans from countries all over the world and North Texas neighbors co-mingle to watch matches, enjoy live music between and after games, sample food typically served at the State Fair of Texas, and have a place for adults to enjoy and kids to play.
In 2026, there will be a much more comprehensive plan in place than the chance gatherings of 1994 Cindy Solomon, Director of Events and Entertainment for The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee, has been hard at work on that In March, The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee unveiled plans for what will be one of the largest Fan Festivals taking place in any host city in 2026, with the added gravitas of the events taking place in the shadow of the 1994 venue
“I think the fact that we ’ re in a historic site at Fair Park is very meaningful It ties that history from 1994 through 2026,” she said
“One of the exciting things when we ’ re looking at Fair Park is the inclusion of what we will call the Pavilion at Fair Park Looking at our footprint, to incorporate an amphitheater as part of our fan festival is really a unique opportunity
“It not only gives us an anchor, but also a centralized location, lots of entertainment opportunities to for our main stage, covered seating with those big fans, the grass lawn for people to enjoy from, and then all the activations – with so much food and beverage that will be offered to all attendees We’re taking advantage of a lot of the assets that Fair Park has”
Adam Bazaldua grew up connected to the Cotton Bowl and Fair Park When the Dallas Cowboys played at the historic venue from 1960-1970, his dad and uncle would show up hours before games to work as vendors - his dad hoping to sell hot dogs, his uncle preferring the soft drinks It was all business until the fourth quarter when they were paid and given the choice to head home or watch the fourth quarter
His father continued the connection with the Cotton Bowl by being “adamant about getting season tickets” for the Dallas Burn’s first seasons, often taking Adam to eat at the Old Mill Inn before the match Now, Bazaldua represents Fair Park and the surrounding area with the Dallas City Council and District 7 He was thrilled to see a place that means so much to him and his constituents be selected as the Fan Festival site, continuing a long tradition
“I think FIFA recognizes the significance for the sport - of the culture and what the venue brings - the Cotton Bowl specifically, but the fairgrounds as well,” Bazaldua said
That significance and the history of the site combined with the opportunity to bring people together made Fair Park the right site for FIFA Fan Festival™ Dallas
“It is a gathering place,” Solomon said “We have an estimated capacity of 35,000 people at any one time That’s the potential of 30,000+ fans gathered together in one space cheering for their favorite team or cheering for soccer in general Or maybe we have people who never have watched a professional soccer match, but here they are at FIFA Fan Festival Dallas instantly becoming an Argentina fan, or a United States soccer fan
“The excitement of being able to bring all of that together, in a location for people to watch the matches together with friends and families, and also complete strangers, I think is so unique”
Bazulda believes the potential benefits for District 7 and the rest of South Dallas go beyond potentially picking up a new favorite sport or team Instead, they reflect the spirit of a community known for being welcoming and able to successfully host events that people remember forever.
“There’s going to be opportunity, of course, for there to be a financial benefit for those who call Fair Park home,” Bazaldua said “But in addition to that, I just think there’s a level of pride to see so many of the gathering opportunities that occur in the city to be right here in our back yard,” he said “It speaks volumes to our community being open, welcoming and truly a gathering place - one that creates lasting memories for generations of families, traditions for people and memorable milestones
“There’s a positive feeling we get from anything we host there, so I think there’s a level of pride from the South Dallas community That’s the expectation here, and one we get to share with the rest of the city, the region and in this caseon the world stage”
Many of those visitors from abroad will arrive with memories - some lived in person, some through TV screens and some highlights watched on their phone of matches played long before they were born
It will lead to more memories being made, more great nights out celebrating the beautiful game and an event that brings more converts like Swift and Bazaldua who love the Cotton Bowl and the Fair Park area for the moments they cherished then, and those to come this summer
NORTHTEXASFWCORGANIZING COMMITTEEANDNORTHCENTRAL
Arlington, Texas
April 2, 2026
The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee and the North Central Texas Council of Governments have unveiled the transportation plan responsible for moving fans and visitors in North Texas this summer during FIFA World Cup 2026™
Leaders highlighted key elements of the transportation plan, including how guests in town during the tournament can use the region’s multimodal transportation system to travel to Dallas Stadium in Arlington during the tournament-high nine matches held at the stadium this summer, FIFA Fan Festival™ Dallas at Fair Park, the International Broadcast Center and other related events across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Kelly Porter (City of Fort Worth), Arnold Watkins (City of Dallas), Sharon McCloskey (DFW Airport), Natalie Bettger (NCTCOG), Michael Morris (NCTCOG), Mayor Jim Ross (City of Arlington), Monica Paul (NTFWCOC), Karla Windsor (NCTCOG), Erin Myers (DART), Reed Lanham (Trinity Metro)
“Major sporting events create unforgettable, lifelong memories for fans, and in North Texas, we are accustomed to welcoming some of the biggest events on the sports calendar,” said Monica Paul, President of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee “Any major sporting event, such as the FIFA World Cup, requires months of collaboration with partners across multiple sectors, including transportation We’re grateful to our federal, state, regional and local partners for their efforts in making this moment possible”
The North Central Texas Council of Governments is leading the transportation planning, coordinating closely with transit agencies, airports, and municipalities. The transportation plan details how the region’s integrated transportation network will move thousands of fans traveling to Dallas-Fort Worth for matches in Arlington, or the free and open to the public FIFA Fan Festival™ Dallas at Fair Park Pavilion, as well as for events connected to the world’s largest sporting event
“The FIFA World Cup represents something entirely new: the largest sporting event in the world coming to one of the fastest-growing regions in the country,” said Michael Morris, PE, Director of Transportation for the North Central Texas Council of Governments “Embracing this historic opportunity required unprecedented collaboration across our cities, counties, state transportation department and transit agencies to deliver a transportation strategy worthy of a global stage”
NCTCOG, the Cities of Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Trinity Metro, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) are working together to ensure efficient, dependable travel options for spectators and event personnel
This includes new multimodal connections and special event transit services designed specifically for FIFA World Cup 2026™ operations
“By aligning our partners under one coordinated vision, we have built an innovative system that brings together rail, bus and smart infrastructure to meet the scale and energy of the FIFA World Cup,” Morris said “Our goal is simple: to provide every fan with an experience of a lifetime – supported by transportation that is seamless and reliable”
Match Day Operations
NCTCOG developed a creative approach for match day transportation, knowing FIFA World Cup 2026™ spectators rely far more heavily on public transit than typical crowds at events at Dallas Stadium Ticket holders can ride the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) from Fort Worth or Dallas to CentrePort Station From there, they will take a charter bus to the Bus Hub, the designated transit drop-off zone near the stadium Fans will then have a short, half-mile walk to the entrance
Spectators can also use rideshare services to attend matches The Esports Stadium Arlington lot has been designated as the rideshare lot for rideshare companies to operate pick-up and drop-off
The region’s extensive freeway and highway system will give fans multiple options to drive to the stadium for events, with parking options available
“Our plan moves visitors from rail to charter buses with dedicated routes connecting key transit hubs to the stadium,” said Karla Windsor, a senior program manager for NCTCOG “We appreciate our local, state and federal partners for lending their collaboration in the development of this plan”
Getting Around North Texas
North Texas is served by two major airports –Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field Both offer convenient connections to public transportation, rideshare services, or rental car options In addition, 30 general aviation airports provide comprehensive services for corporate, private and charter aviation
Public transit is the most efficient way to reach FIFA World Cup 2026™ events Direct service connects to multiple cities in the North Texas region, the airports, FIFA Fan Festival™ Dallas at Fair Park and the International Broadcast Center at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas, allowing visitors to travel quickly and comfortably by rail or bus. Fans can plan their trips and purchase tickets using the GoPass® app The GoPass® app is a comprehensive, award-winning mobile ticketing and travel planning tool for public transit in North Texas, primarily used for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Trinity Metro, and several surrounding transit agencies It enables contactless payments, real-time trip planning, and digital ticket storage for buses and trains, essentially acting as a mobile ticket vending machine
North Texas also offers a robust network of highways, making travel by car straightforward across the region
More information about the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee FIFA World Cup 2026™ Transportation Plan, including a complete list of maps, visit DallasFWC26com
Click here for the direct link.
North Texas Community Cleanup Challenge
From March through May, residents, schools, businesses, and community groups are invited to organize or join cleanup events and log every piece of trash collected.
Communities will compete to collect the most litter per resident and earn the Cleanup Challenge award a symbol of pride, stewardship, and teamwork.
Let’s show the world that North Texas takes pride in its community — clean, green, and ready for the FIFA World Cup™ and beyond.
As the FIFA World Cup™ comes to North Texas, let’s make our community shine.
We’re proud to support the North Texas Community Cleanup Challenge, a friendly regional competition to reduce litter and protect our environment.
This Effort Helps:
Beautifyneighborhoodsand publicspaces
Protectwaterwaysandwildlife
Createalastingenvironmental legacyfortheWorldCup
How to Participate:
Organizeorjoinalocalcleanup
LogyoureffortsintheTexas LitterDatabase
Shareyourimpactandhelpyour communityrisetothetop
HOWDALLASISPLAYINGTHELONG GAMEONSUSTAINABILITYFORFIFA WORLDCUP2026™
When the world arrives in North Texas this summer for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, city leaders and organizers are asking a question that extends well beyond the matches: what kind of region do we want to be, not just for the tournament, but long after the final whistle?
The answer is taking shape in the Dallas FWC26 Sustainability Playbook, a 47-page guide developed for the restaurants, hotels, bars, shops, and venues that will host millions of international visitors It's not a mandate It's a practical roadmap built on the idea that sustainability is less about grand gestures and more about smart, incremental choices made every day.
The playbook covers six core areas. On food waste, it breaks down the problem into six specific categories and offers targeted fixes, from better inventory rotation to end-of-service donation procedures protected under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act
On energy, it walks businesses through steps ranging from basic shutdown routines all the way to rooftop solar and electrified kitchen equipment Transportation gets serious attention too, with guidance on promoting Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), coordinating off-peak deliveries, and installing EV charging for guests and staff
Local sourcing is framed as both an environmental and economic win The North Texas Business Connect Program links vendors directly with local suppliers, keeping spending in the region while cutting delivery emissions Businesses can also pursue Green Business Certifications available in Dallas, Plano, and Fort Worth.
The community section rounds out the guide with air quality strategies, support for urban tree canopy, fair labor practices, accessibility planning, and multilingual signage for international visitors Dallas's Community Air Management Program (D-CAMP) will even have a dedicated air quality sensor at the Fan Festival at Fair Park
What sets this playbook apart is its tiered structure Every topic is organized into loweffort, moderate, and best-practice actions, so a food truck and a five-star hotel can both find a genuine starting point. The message is simple: you don't need a perfect strategy on day one. You just need one step, and then another.
For$50offEarthx2026registrationusecodeNTFWC
NORTHTEXASNONPROFITSARE
TAKINGPARTINFIFAFANFESTIVAL™ DALLAS
As the world turns its attention to North Texas for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, the FIFA Fan Festival™ Dallas at Fair Park will stand as one of the most vibrant and accessible touchpoints of the tournament Spanning 34 days and welcoming thousands of visitors each day, the festival will be more than a place to watch matches. It will be a celebration of culture, creativity, and community.
At the heart of this experience is the nonprofit community that defines the region, the organizations that work tirelessly to strengthen neighborhoods, support families, and create meaningful change The FIFA Fan Festival™ Dallas offers these groups a rare and powerful opportunity to step onto a global stage
Community Days: Elevating Purpose and Impact
Community Days will shine a spotlight on the nonprofit organizations that serve as the backbone of North Texas During the FIFA Fan Festival™, selected nonprofits will be recognized on festival screens, offering visibility to a global audience that few local organizations ever have the chance to reach
Beyond recognition, nonprofits will be invited to gather for a group photo moment that symbolizes unity, collaboration, and shared purpose It is a powerful visual representation of what makes this region exceptional and a lasting record of the organizations that helped shape this historic event.
For organizations dedicated to amplifying their mission and connecting with a broader audience, this is a rare and valuable platform The selection process is designed to ensure a diverse and representative showcase of the North Texas nonprofit community, honoring the full breadth of the work being done across the region.
Community Days is a reminder that the most meaningful moments of a global event are often the ones rooted in local purpose When the world comes to North Texas, these organizations will be there to show what this community stands for and why it matters
- Click Here
Hosted by
Moderated by Minal
KEYNOTE
APRIL 24, 2026
Hilton Anatole Dallas | Stemmons Ballroom 2201 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75207
Networking Breakfast 8:30 AM | Program 9:30 AM
Monica Paul, President | North Texas FWC Organizing Committee
Davis, Chief Human Rights Officer | North Texas FWC Organizing Committee
PANELIST
| Founder, The Impact Game
Growing up as Pelé's daughter meant growing up inside the world's most watched sport, it also meant having a unique perspective of the often complicated history behind the sport’s most important moments Today, Kely Nascimento channels that lived experience into her work helping organizations define their narratives and strengthen their impact Kely believes that sport, and particularly soccer, is a powerful vehicle in the constant fight for human rights Pele’s story is inextricably linked to the story of soccer in the US Kely hopes that by coming to North Texas and sharing some of this story she can inspire us to use the 2026 World Cup not just as a moment of celebration, but as a catalyst for lasting change
PANELIST
PANELIST PANELIST
Human Rights Officer City of Dallas Global Head of Intervention Programs A21 Senior Manager of Accessibility & Safeguarding, FIFA 26 President & CEO Housing Forward
CLOSING REMARKS
| Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Equidem
Equidem is a human rights and labour rights organisation. They work globally and locally to expose injustice and hidden human rights abuses; to provide practical solutions to the most intractable human rights challenges; and to build powerful community-led coalitions that empower the individual and the community. Mustafa provides overall strategic direction and manages all projects He is a human rights research and advocacy expert with 20 years of interdisciplinary experience in government and public international law, journalism, and the non-governmental sector
THE NORTH TEXAS COMMITTEE AND ARLINGTON HOST C PLANTING EVENT REGIONAL SUSTAINA
The North Texas FWC O collaboration with the City community tree planting even Park, where city leaders, par residents planted 18 trees sustainability initiative ahead o
The event brought together community members, projec Supporters in a shared comm space and support lo improvements, aligning wit Organizing Committee’s susta of Arlington’s 150th anniversary
NEW STATUE EXHIBIT CAPTURING HOW STEM POWERS SPORTS TO DEBUT AT 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP FAN FESTIVAL™ IN DALLAS
For the first time, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fan Festival™ at Fair Park in Dallas, Lyda Hill Philanthropies’ IF/THEN® Initiative will debut #IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit: Game Changers, a monumental display of 26 lifesize, 3-D printed statues celebrating leaders whose work demonstrates how science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fuel the world of sports
In collaboration with the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee, the interactive exhibit will be on public display from Thursday, June 11, through Sunday, July 19, at the Fan Festival at Dallas’ Fair Park, located at 3809 Grand Avenue Coinciding with the full World Cup tournament, fans can enjoy free live match screenings, food, music, and entertainment Entry to the Fan Festival and the exhibit is free Read More
North Texas Sports Foundation
THE SOUND AT CYPRESS WATERS, 3111 OLYMPUS BLVD., DALLAS, TEXAS
Join the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee for a family-friendly event where walkers and runners of all levels are welcome. Gather your crew, lace up, and join athletes, families, and fans from across North Texas for a high-energy day of fun and celebration as we count down to the biggest sporting event in the world.
