FROM THE PITCH FROM THE PITCH
Robin Williams at the 1994 FIFA World Cup Draw
Why North Texas and the World Eagerly Await the World Cup Final Draw
The Official Draw Party Experience in North Texas
Welcoming the World’s Game to Dallas, Perot Museum of Nature and Science to Debut Groundbreaking New Exhibit “Soccer: More Than a Game” in March 2026
Volunteers Gather to Grow Together on Texas Arbor Day
Community Engagement Playbook –Your Guide to the FIFA World Cup 26™
FROMTHEPRESIDENT
Excitement is building across North Texas as we prepare for the world’s biggest sporting event The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee, alongside Visit Fort Worth and Bank of America, is thrilled to announce The Official Draw Party Experience taking place Friday, December 5 at Billy Bob’s Texas While the Final Draw unfolds in Washington DC at the Kennedy Center, revealing the 48-team groupings for next summer ’ s tournament Fans here at home will come together for a one-of-a-kind celebration that captures the energy and hospitality of Texas Expect live music, giveaways, soccer stars, and more as we mark this historic moment together
October also brought the global debut of TRIONDA, the FIFA World Cup 26™ Official Match Ball by Adidas Translating to “three waves, ” TRIONDA’s design unites the three host nations Canada, Mexico, and the United States through the colors red, green, and blue, accented with a maple leaf, eagle, and star, and finished in gold to honor the FIFA World Cup™ trophy itself
Just weeks earlier, fans were introduced to the official FIFA World Cup 26™ Mascots: Maple the Moose, Zayu the Tiger, and Clutch the Bald Eagle. The trio made their North Texas debut with visits to local media outlets, the MexTour match at AT&T Stadium, and the State Fair of Texas, spreading excitement everywhere they went
With ticket sales now underway and major milestones on the horizon, North Texas is ready to welcome the world in 2026 The journey continues, and the countdown is on
Cheers,
Monica Paul, NTFWCOC President
Monica Paul
WHYNORTHTEXASANDTHEWORLD EAGERLYAWAITTHEWORLDCUP FINALDRAW
by Jon Arnold
It is the most excited international soccer fans get until a ball is kicked
The World Cup Final Draw has a special mystique surrounding it To the uninitiated, the events of December 5 at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC may seem like a simple exercise In the past during the World Cup Final Draw, ping-pong balls representing national teams get picked out of pots and then a calendar is then formed
But this is no boring bingo
For many, the draw will kick off a six-month binge of research, of seeking out information, of watching players from places you would never have thought much about before they became your rivals In a way, the shake up that is the draw is akin to an NFL or MLB team getting a new division right before a season begins Your team’s chances of success depend heavily on who you play in the group Get a favorable placement and advance in the tournament, and anything feels possible
John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC
Given the importance of the event, big-name guests typically attend The last time the men ’ s World Cup took place in the United States in 1994, Robin Williams provided comic relief while singer Barry Manilow, actress Faye Dunaway, and TV personality Dick Clark all looked on at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas during the draw
The 2022 draw in Doha, Qatar was attended by soccer stars like US World Cup winner Carli Lloyd and Brazilian legend Cafu, who played at the Cotton Bowl in 1994 on the way to one of two World Cup trophies he would win in his illustrious career
For this version of the draw, most of the field will be set after November’s World Cup qualification matches, and FIFA also will finalize the draw procedures soon The 2026 tournament will be the largest edition ever, bringing 48 teams from across the globe to compete across Canada, Mexico and the United States, as they have been assigned a group
All we know now is that Canada, Mexico and the United States as host countries have been assigned a group and a venue for the Group Stage. The event on December 5 will determine the fate of the other qualified teams.
For soccer fans, the draw is important because it will determine which teams are coming to our hometowns, including North Texas Will we welcome Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Harry Kane, or Cristiano Ronaldo? Is it still possible Lionel Messi could be headed to North Texas if he decides to play for Argentina?
Any of these appearances could add to the already-incredible aura of excitement surrounding the World Cup in our region
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Robin Williams at the 1994 FIFA World Cup Draw
For the setup of the tournament, which is still to be determined, the knockout round matches are harder to project, of course, but with multiple Group F and Group J matches taking place at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the region will learn a few of the teams it will host once the schedule is announced following the draw
Teams with group matches in the region also are more likely to choose a DFW base camp, since it can limit the number of miles a team needs to travel to play its matches
The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee will have a presence in Washington DC, immediately getting to work on welcoming teams and their delegations to North Texas, even before they have set foot in the region
“The World Cup Final Draw will be an exciting event for fans across the world, and especially for our North Texas community, as we will finally find out who will be playing here during FIFA World Cup 26,” said Monica Paul, President of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee. “Additionally, we’re going to put on a great regional Draw Party at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth where those in attendance will get a glimpse of what’s to come next summer.”
The iconic Billy Bob’s Texas in the famous Fort Worth Stockyards will get a head start on next summer ’ s festivities as the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee is set to host a one-of-akind, once-in-a-generation celebration “Countdown to the Cup: The Draw Experience” will put on a celebration filled with country flair and exclusive experiences on December 5 From the moment the matchups are announced, to the lively entertainment that follows, this will be a day of pride, excitement, and unforgettable memories
“Fort Worth is proud to be at the center of the excitement as the world turns its eyes to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. “Hosting the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee’s regional Draw Party at the legendary Billy Bob’s Texas highlights the unique spirit of our city, and we are thrilled to welcome fans from near and far to take part in this celebration."
While soccer fans will converge in the nation’s capital, as Paul indicated, there will be plenty of excitement in North Texas too Local fans will gather in Fort Worth where “The World’s Largest Honky-Tonk" will host the organizing committee’s Official Draw Party Experience for the world’s most-anticipated Draw
Fans all over the region, the country, and the world will be watching to see what their teams’ path to glory looks like, which teams are coming to town, and who may stay and develop enduring connections just as many past visitors and players have There is a reason why so many fans are counting down the days until the draw - because it kicks off the final sprint to their favorite team’s opening match and all the excitement that is the World Cup. All that is left now is to find out who has the luck of the draw on December 5
DECEMBER 5, 2025 10 AM - 2 PM
THE DRAW DECIDES IT ALL — WHO, WHERE, AND WHEN TEAMS FACE OFF!
BILLY BOB’S TEXAS FORT WORTH
WELCOMINGTHEWORLD’SGAMETO
DALLAS,PEROTMUSEUMOFNATUREAND SCIENCETODEBUTGROUNDBREAKING NEWEXHIBIT“SOCCER:MORETHANA
GAME”INMARCH2026
Part of a North American collaboration with Mexico City’s Museo Interactivo de Economía (MIDE), the exhibition will explore the science and economics behind the beloved sport
DALLAS (October 30, 2025)- The Perot Museum of Nature and Science will debutSoccer: More Than a Gamein March 2026, three months before FIFA World Cup 2026™ play begins. The exhibition invites visitors to step inside the world’s most beloved sport, uncovering the science, technology, and culture that fuel its global appeal Through interactive and handson experiences, visitors will see how discovery and innovation shape the game from the field to the lab to the world stage
As North Texas’ excitement builds for the tournament,Soccer: More Than a Gamewill serve as a dynamic centerpiece for the region’s celebration, uniting fans, families, and curious minds in a shared exploration of sport and science Developed in collaboration with Mexico City’s Museo Interactivo de Economía (MIDE), the exhibition highlights soccer ’ s universal power to spark curiosity, drive creativity, and connect communities worldwide A companion exhibition at MIDE will further explore the cultural and economic impact of “the beautiful game ” across North America
“Soccer: More Than a Gamecaptures the energy, creativity, and collaboration that define both science and sport,” said Dr Linda Silver, Eugene McDermott Chief Executive Officer of the Perot Museum
“As the world’s attention turns to North America for the world's largest soccer tournament, we ’ re delighted to offer visitors an experience that celebrates discovery, connection, and the spirit of play that inspires us all”
Visitors to Soccer: More Than a Gamewill embark on an extraordinary interactive journey, blending history, science, and physical activity, making the game come alive like never before From testing their own skills and learning the physics behind the perfect shot to discovering the technology revolutionizing the sport, visitors will gain a deeper appreciation for the game ’ s complexity Highlights include:
The Locker Room and Entrance Tunnel spark the thrill of joining the team and recreate the electrifying moment when players emerge into the stadium and onto the pitch
Interactive exhibits that explore the Impact of the Game and offer glimpses into the sport’s evolution and global influence and introduce the teams behind the teams on the field
Explore careers beyond the pitch in the Coaching Lab for Excellence in Athletics, Technology, and Science Presented by Amazon (C.L.E.A.T.S.) experience, where visitors can dive into material sciences, game strategy, and data analytics paving the way for future general managers, physical therapists and the many careers in soccer
The Academy Presented by Verizon, a hands-on training ground where visitors can put their soccer skills to the test and uncover the miracles of human movement through unique games they won’t experience anywhere else.
“Soccer is universal Show a ball to a child in Mexico City or one in Dallas and they’ll know what to do It is a powerful cultural bridge that unites nations,” said Silvia Singer, Director General of MIDE “We are proud to share in this celebration of the world’s most popular sport with the Perot Museum”
Soccer: More Than a Game will open at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science on March 7, 2026, and run through September 7 The exhibition is sponsored in Dallas by Amazon and Verizon
“Amazon is built on the idea that great things happen when people are connected by curiosity, creativity and shared purpose, and soccer embodies that spirit on a global scale," said Vickie Yakunin, Amazon's Head of Community Affairs for Texas "Together with the Perot Museum, we're proud to help bringSoccer: More Than a Game to life and inspire learning that reaches far beyond the field"
“Verizon champions how people live, play, and work and we ’ re harnessing that energy into our partnership with Perot Museum for theSoccer: More Than a Gameexhibition,” said Michelle R Miller, Senior Vice President at Verizon. “We are proud to help equip visitors with a hands-on experience of science, technology, and data analytics tools, inspiring future innovators in our community”
Additional support for Soccer: More Than a Gamein Dallas is provided by American Airlines, Bank of America, Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District, Kroger, Lonsdale Resources, SELECT Sport, Texas Counter Fitters, Texas Instruments, City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture,and Visit Dallas More details, including ticketing and special programming, will be announced at a later date For updates, visit PerotMuseumorg
VOLUNTEERSGATHERTOGROW TOGETHERONTEXAS
Volunteers from across North Texas came together on November 6 at Breckinridge Park in Richardson for a special Tree Planting Celebration hosted by the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee and the City of Richardson
In honor of Texas Arbor Day, participants rolled up their sleeves to plant trees, contributing to a greener, healthier, and more sustainable community The event was made possible through generous tree donations from One Earth One Chance and the Suresh Family
Rooted in sustainability and community pride, the morning served as a reminder that every tree planted today helps create a lasting legacy for future generations as North Texas prepares to welcome the world in 2026
Learn more about about the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee’s sustainability initiatives at dallasfwc26com
COMMUNITYENGAGEMENTPLAYBOOK–YOURGUIDETOTHEFIFAWORLDCUP26™
GETINTOTHESPIR
The excitement is building as North Texas ready to welcome the world for the FIFA W Cup 2026™! Now’s your chance to show hometown pride and gear up for celebration by purchasing official Dallas Host City merchandise
From t-shirts and hats to scarves collectibles, the collection lets you repre your city in true World Cup fashion. Wear Dallas gear to The Official Draw Experience on December 5 at Billy Bob’s T in Fort Worth, and be part of the big celebration in Texas as the world disc which teams will take the pitch right he North Texas
Get your gear today! Shop the collectio clicking here
The Community Engagement Playbook is your go-to guide for everything as North Texas prepares to host the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Inside, you will find inspiration and practical tools to help you prepare, participate, and make an impact This guide will help you get involved and be part of something extraordinary
This living document will continue to evolve with new opportunities, updates, and creative ways to participate Explore the Playbook today as we
