FROM THE PITCH FROM THE PITCH
FROMTHEPRESIDENT
It is here! Finally – FIFA World Cup 2026!
On behalf of our North Texas FWC Organizing Committee, I am filled with pride to showcase everything that we ’ ve prepared for you and the North Texas region We have officially opened our doors to the world, and our first days of FIFA Fan Festival Dallas are well underway.
We hope all of you have registered on our website for your free daily ticket or if you are looking for a more elevated experience, there are paid premium options as well throughout the length of FIFA Fan Festival Dallas
We also had some recent exciting announcements, beginning with our two newest Host City Supporters – the Dallas Cowboys and Daniel L Hunt Both are iconic names and brands in sports that we are honored to have joined us
At the end of May, we unveiled the incredible Texan Golden Boot – a sculpture that stands 18 feet long by 11 feet high and weighs over 2,200 pounds The Texas Golden Boot was created by internationally recognized sculptor Steve Ekpenisi and curated and produced by Street Art for Mankind and was placed in the Arlington Entertainment District for all to enjoy during and after the tournament
To cap off the month, our team put on a highly successful Countdown to the Cup 5K where over 2,000 participants gathered in celebration at The Sound at Cypress Waters.
Now – it is time to embrace the beautiful game as things officially kick off for the first match between the Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium this Sunday on June 14
Cheers,
Monica Paul, NTFWCOC President
Nina Vaca (Co-Chair of NTFWCOC), Monica Paul (President, NTFWCOC), Dan Hunt (Co-Chair of NTFWCOC)
MATCHSCHEDULE&EVENTS
North Texas is alive with FIFA World Cup 2026™ excitement as fans from around the globe gather for a month-long celebration of soccer, culture, and community Dallas Stadium will host nine matches featuring powerhouse teams such as England, Croatia, Argentina, Netherlands, Japan, Austria, Jordan, and Sweden, before welcoming knockout-round matches and a Semi-Final
Beyond the matches, fans can experience festivities across the region, including international fan marches through downtown Dallas, cultural celebrations hosted by visiting nations, live match broadcasts and entertainment at FIFA Fan Festival™ Dallas at Fair Park. From supporter parades and watch parties to food, music, and Texas hospitality, North Texas is transforming into a global gathering place where the world comes together to celebrate the beautiful game.
MATCHES & MORE FIFA FAN FESTIVAL
To take transit to Dallas Stadium using the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) train, we recommend purchasing a ticket using GoPass and boarding at Victory Station in downtown Dallas or the Central Station in downtown Fort Worth The TRE Schedule can be found HERE The train will take you to the Centreport/DFW Airport Station which is north of the stadium Complimentary Charter Buses will be waiting to take you to the stadium and are available for your return trip A valid match ticket is required for charter service to Dallas Stadium and this service will only be available on match days There will be NO game day parking at the Station on match days
The Charter Buses will take ticket holders to the Bus Hub just north of Dallas Stadium where there will be a 10-minute walk to the stadium At the BusHub there will be ADA accessible carts available to transport patrons with mobility needs as well, to and from the stadium if needed
From downtown to the stadium, please plan for a trip of approximately 15 hours Wait times may be longer so we encourage you to arrive early.
Service to the stadium will begin five hours before the start of the game and will continue up to three hours after the game
FIFAWORLDCUP2026™PITCHUNVEILED ATDALLASSTADIUMINARLINGTON
By Kevin Utz
On May 14, media members received an exclusive first look inside Dallas Stadium in Arlington as officials unveiled the FIFA World Cup 2026™ pitch following its installation ahead of this summer ’ s tournament
Nearly 100 media members were some of the first to witness the natural grass growing from the pink light emitted by the hanging grow light metal structures
Because Dallas Stadium is an enclosed stadium, the lights were needed to properly grow the grass.
Natural grass has been used in enclosed stadiums for FIFA matches held previously at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, but the grass will be installed for an extended amount of time during FIFA World Cup 2026 matches The stadium features a new type of technology to properly grow and maintain the grass with lights hanging from the ceiling
“An impressive piece of technology and great innovation from the stadium,” FIFA Head of Infrastructure Ewen Hodge said “It is a first for the world to hang these grow lights.”
PITCH UNVEILED AT DALLAS STADIUM IN ARLINGTON
Hodge also discussed FIFA’s groundbreaking five-year sports turf research initiative conducted in partnership with the University of Tennessee and Michigan State University The research focused on player welfare, pitch consistency, climate adaptability and innovative technologies including shallow-stitching systems designed specifically for stadium environments hosting FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches
Usually, the lights are rolled on and off the pitch to help grow the grass, but AT&T Stadium General Manager Tod Martin really wanted to implement the hanging lights because of the wear and tear that comes from rolling the wheels on and off the pitch.
“This started around three years ago with Ewen Hodge and the FIFA pitch management team where a conversation turned it into an idea,” said Martin “We implemented that idea into our Copa America games in 2024 where we had great success and great feedback from the teams and players in that tournament, and then we expanded upon that idea of what we have now, which is 18 rigs tied in up above that provides all the lighting that has everything that the pitch needs to grow and excel”
Hanging the lights also allows the grounds crew to easily maintain the pitch without navigating the field with lights directly on the pitch The lights will be used throughout the tournament on the grass that is 24 inches higher than the normal field used by the Dallas Cowboys
Parts of the stadium were removed to allow for 15,000 tons of material to be used to create the natural grass as well as an irrigation system so the grass can be watered whenever it is needed
Officials also addressed operational planning topics surrounding the tournament, including transportation, security coordination, and fan experience surrounding stadium areas. Dallas Stadium in Arlington will host nine FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches, more than any other Host City
NORTHTEXASFWCORGANIZINGCOMMITTEE, THENORTHTEXASSPORTSFOUNDATIONAND
GOLDENBOOTSCULPTURE
The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee, in partnership with the North Texas Sports Foundation and Street Art for Mankind, unveiled the Texan Golden Boot today The Texan Golden Boot will serve as a permanent public art sculpture commemorating the North Texas region and Dallas as a Host City for FIFA World Cup 2026™
“The Golden Boot is one of the most recognizable symbols in soccer because it represents players who rise to the moment and leave their mark,” said Dan Hunt, President of FC Dallas and Co-Chair of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee
“To see that symbol reimagined here, with a North Texas identity, says a lot about how this region sees the game and its future
“This sculpture will become a gathering place where fans connect, stories are shared and local pride meets the global game ”
Located in the heart of the City of Arlington’s Entertainment District, the Texan Golden Boot was unveiled during a dedication ceremony featuring remarks from civic and organizational leaders celebrating the lasting legacy being built across North Texas through sport, culture and community impact
“Arlington is proud to be the permanent home of the Texan Golden Boot, which embodies the spirit of our North Texas region,” said Arlington Mayor Jim Ross “This sculpture will serve as a lasting reminder of what a monumental moment of hosting the World Cup meant for our city and our region, while also investing in the future of our youth through the power of sports”
Forged from locally sourced reclaimed metal, the Texan Golden Boot stands 18 feet long by 11 feet high and weighs over 2,200 pounds The Texas Golden Boot was created by internationally recognized sculptor Steve Ekpenisi and curated and produced by Street Art for Mankind. The sculpture fuses fútbol’s iconic Golden Boot with the Texas Spur, symbolizing the connection between the global sport and Texas heritage
“The Texan Golden Boot represents more than a sculpture – it’s the result of collaboration between artists, engineers, and a community that believed in what art can represent,” said Thibault and Audrey Decker, Co-Founders of Street Art for Mankind “The Texan Golden Boot was designed not just to be seen, but to tell a story – of unity, creativity, and the global language of football, and Steve Ekpenisi’s vision and craftsmanship turned reclaimed materials into something truly iconic that reflects both the strength and the beauty of the game.
“We’re proud to have helped bring this to North Texas and to be part of a legacy that will inspire people for years to come ”
Additionally, the sculpture, along with the accompanying brick plaza, creates a rare opportunity for the entire community – from families to global brands – to help build a permanent symbol of this historic World Cup moment, while directly funding long-term legacy programs across North Texas communities via the North Texas Sports Foundation Each donor contributing $500-$5,000 will have the honor of inscribing their name on individual bricks that will surround the sculpture
“The Texan Golden Boot stands for the legacy and stewardship it will provide during the World Cup and beyond,” said Jaime Cabrera, Director of Donor Relations for the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee “This sculpture serves as an impactful symbol whose true impact is the opportunities provided with youth access to sport, healthier public spaces, community art and education grounded in values All of these will help create long-term support for our North Texas communities in 2026 and beyond”
All funds raised through the Texan Golden Boot and Buy a Brick Campaign are stewarded by the North Texas Sports Foundation and invested in initiatives focused on long-term community impact, sustainability and ethical development.
A one-of-a-kind 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 commemorative brick surrounding the sculpture, creating a permanent mark that carries your legacy forward.
