FROM THE PITCH FROM THE PITCH
FROMTHEPRESIDENT
The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee is proud to announce the recent launch of two exciting programs: the North Texas Business Connect Program and the Donor Program
In preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee created the North Texas Business Connect Program to engage local suppliers and expand procurement opportunities Looking ahead to future major events, we remain committed to partnering with qualified local businesses Learn more on the North Texas Business Connect page of our website
We also launched our Donor Program with inspiring celebrations in both Dallas and Fort Worth. Surrounded by influential leaders, philanthropists, and changemakers from across North Texas, these events created momentum and provided an inside look at opportunities to engage with the organization Together, we are building initiatives that will shape a lasting impact on our region, not only throughout the tournament next summer, but for generations to come
Lastly, FIFA officially launched its first phase of tickets sales for the FIFA World Cup 26™ with a Visa Presale beginning today, September 10th All fans in search of tickets should visit FIFAcom/tickets
Congrats to our team and our region on another incredible month full of great updates that you will find in this month’s newsletter!
Cheers,
From left: Jean Claude Tissot (Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages), Jaime Cabrera, Monica Paul, Nina Vaca, Dan Hunt, Derek Alexander (Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages), Fernando Martinez (Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages)
NORTHTEXASBUSINESSCONNECT:
INVOLVEDINTHEFIFAWORLDCUP 2026™
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is coming to North Texas, and with it comes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our local businesses The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee has launched the North Texas Business Connect Program, designed to connect regional suppliers with procurement opportunities tied to the tournament and beyond
This program is your chance to be part of the excitement while showcasing the strength and diversity of North Texas businesses Whether your company provides catering, printing, event services, transportation, or countless other goods and services, Business Connect is your gateway to upcoming Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and official opportunities
Who Can Apply?
To qualify for the program, businesses must: Be located in North Texas You must operate a physical office in one of the following counties: Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Kaufman, Parker, Johnson, Ellis, Rockwall, Hood, or Wise
Be the direct provider of the goods or services offered (no brokers). Be in good standing and eligible to do business in Texas.
Step-by-Step: How to Register
1.Visit the North Texas Business Connect page on the DallasFWC26com website
2.Enter the email address and business name to receive an OTP verification code by email
3.Enter the code online and complete the registration forms, including general information, business category, and any applicable certifications or licensing
4 Review and complete all registration acknowledgements to receive an email confirmation of successful submission
5 Once registered, your business information is shared among FIFA, the Organizing Committee, and their partners for procurement opportunities across the region
Why Register?
Be part of history. The FIFA World Cup™ is the world’s largest sporting event, and North Texas will be in the global spotlight
Expand your reach. From official Host City events to regional celebrations, your business could play a role in delivering world-class experiences
Leave a legacy. Your participation helps build a stronger, more inclusive economy across North Texas that extends well beyond 2026
TICKETING:VISACARDHOLDERS FIRSTCHANCE(SEPT10-SEPT19)
September 10th marks the first chance to take action to attend this historic event, with the Visa Presale Draw entry period kicking off at 10:00 AM CST and running through September 19th at 10:00 AM CST
During this window, thanks to FIFA’s Official Payment Technology Partner, Visa cardholders can log in using their FIFA ID to enter the draw – applying for a chance to purchase tickets
At the start of sale, single match tickets to all 104 matches will be made available; additional, venuespecific tickets and team-specific tickets will also be made available.
At the start of sale, tickets will begin at $60 USD for group stage matches
The additional ticket sales phases will begin in October 2025, through to the final match on Sunday, July 19, 2026 More info can be found at FIFAcom/tickets
THEPIONEERINGHISTORYOFSOCCER INNORTHTEXAS
by Jon Arnold
North Texas is the community it is today because of pioneers and visionaries. While some saw unwanted scrub brush and unwieldy bluffs, others called it home The same spirit imbues the region’s soccer scene, making it one of the most important areas for the game and its growth in the US and one with a rich history that will now continue that historic run by hosting nine upcoming FIFA World Cup™ matches in 2026
Dallas–Fort Worth has been on the cusp of many soccer innovations and movements Whether it was simply seeing a professional league as a possibility, developing the best American talent or putting on the best possible show at the 1994 World Cup and making sure the whole world could see, the region has always led the way
At Podium: Lamar Hunt
While more DFW residents are becoming fans of the sport by the day, soccer in Dallas wasn't born in 2026, 1996, or even 1976 The sport in the region can be traced to the 1910s, and as soccer grew globally it continued to have a foothold in North Texas
Still, the launch of the Dallas Tornado in the United Soccer Association, eventually moving into the North American Soccer League (NASL). The Tornado provided Dallas a professional team for more than a decade, giving Dallas its own stars and bringing others in the starstudded NASL to town The team was owned and chaired by Lamar Hunt who already was well-known to Dallas sports fans after founding the American Football League (AFL) team in Dallas, Texas, which eventually moved to Kansas City where it became the Chiefs in the National Football League (NFL)
Hunt is one of the most important figures in Dallas soccer and soccer in the US After falling for the game in the 1960s and attending the 1966 World Cup, he became one of the sport’s biggest advocates in the U.S. and helped spearhead his growth.
Hunt would go on to encourage and champion soccer amongst his fellow NFL owners, and eventually many came around and joined him as investors when Major League Soccer (MLS) launched in 1996 At launch, he owned the Kansas City Wiz and Columbus Crew Eventually, he bought the team (Dallas Burn) that would become FC Dallas and moved on from the teams outside North Texas
Hunt’s name is peppered throughout the National Soccer Hall of Fame whose collection is housed in Frisco but he’s far from the only Dallas pioneer in the Hall. Arnold Ramsden was inducted in 1957. After playing soccer, Ramsden became one of the foremost administrators in the early days, serving as District Commissioner of the National Amateur Cup, which is still running as a qualifier for the US Open Cup tournament that bears Hunt’s name
Playing legends are, of course, included as well from Highland Park alumnus Kyle Rote Jr a star with the Tornado who also became a TV star in the athletic competition Superstars to Dallas Texans alumnus and US Men’s Soccer superstar and captain Clint Dempsey, and world champion Carla Overbook, who played for the Dallas Sting before becoming a stalwart for the U.S. women's national team.
Many of those early legends were formed because of a strong focus on coaching and development in the youth game Dallas one of the first areas to realize the value of not just soccer as a participatory sport but as a potential career
After decades of strong clubs, FC Dallas pioneered their own approach
Left: Sharron Hunt, Lamar Hunt, Clark Hunt and Dan Hunt
The team became one of the first MLS teams to understand the potential of exporting young players and started taking top DFW talent, coaching it up, showcasing it on the field with the first team and standout youth squads, and then reaped the benefits of selling the players to European clubs for big money That talent pipeline only convinced more kids that they, too, could achieve their professional dreams.
Long before MLS Developmental Academies, much of that talent was being developed in the indoor game Gordon Jago steered the Dallas Sidekicks to an Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) title shortly after the franchise’s founding in 1984
one of many contributions the former Charlton Athletic defender made to soccer in North Texas. Jago also worked for many years as the executive director of the Dallas Cup another example of Dallas’ pioneering soccer scene.
Long before travel tournaments were the norm, the Dallas Cup recognized the need for a high-level youth invitational It quickly became one of the most prestigious events in the world Players like David Beckham, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, and Andrea Pirlo are among the greats who passed through Dallas to take part in the competition
The Sidekicks also played a part in ensuring Dallas would host six matches at the Cotton Bowl in 1994
While kicking around the idea of becoming a host city, a Dallas politician reached out to James Graham, who had served as Sidekicks president Graham became a co-chair along with Lamar Hunt and helped Dallas not only pull off six thrilling matches but also to become known around the world as the site of the International Broadcast Center
The next chapter of North Texas’ rich soccer history will soon be written with the 2026 World Cup set to bring nine matches and the return of the International Broadcast Center (IBC) to the region. The groundwork for such a significant haul had been laid for years with visionary decisions that recall those made by Hunt in the past. The Dallas Sports Commission worked with the Mexican federation to become the “second home” for the ultra-popular Mexico men ’ s national team with annual matches taking place in the region That, plus frequent visits from the Concacaf Gold Cup, the SheBelieves Cup, and other regular international tournaments have helped establish the region as a top-level host for international soccer
Now, North Texas once again finds itself as a leading soccer region in the US, embracing our rich past but working to chart a course that will again provide fans, players, and visitors something that reflects its pioneering spirit and sets it apart as one of the most important regions in the sport of soccer in the country during FIFA World Cup 2026™ and beyond
David Beckham poses with Jodi Price at the 1990 Dallas Cup
Dallas Tornado 1968 Front: Odd Lindberg (Nor), John Stewart (Eng), Bobby Roach (Eng), Eddie Hall (Eng), Bob Kap, Anders Fagri (Nor), Dave Moorcroft (Eng), Brian Harvey (Eng), Fons Stoffels (Hol) Back: Lamar Hunt (Owner), Chris Bachofner (Hol), Chris Tonning (Swe), Mike Renshaw (Eng), Per Larson (Nor), Jay Moore (USA), Jan Book (Swe), Bill Crosbie (Eng), Hans Petter Enger (Nor), Bill McNutt (VP)
VOLUNTEERING:THEAPPLICATION PROCESSISSTILLOPENTO VOLUNTEERFORTHEFIFAWORLD CUP26™
A once-in-a-generation community of volunteers will help bring to life a tournament uniting three countries and billions of hearts around the world.
Volunteers will provide support across 23 functional areas at official and non-official sites such as stadiums, training sites, airports, hotels, and more
FIFA welcomes volunteers from all backgrounds and abilities as the organization aspires to bring people from all walks of life together to enjoy the beautiful game of football From students to retirees, from first-timers to seasoned veterans, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Volunteer Community will be made up of a diverse group of individuals united by a passion for football, volunteering, and community
No prior volunteering experience is required Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of application and eligible to volunteer in the host country, and should have a good command of English
JOINUSINTHEFIGHTAGAINSTHUNGER
The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee is proud to launch Service Day a chance for our community to come together in the spirit of giving, sustainability, and lasting impact
In honor of Hunger Action Month, we invite you to volunteer with us at local food banks across the Dallas–Fort Worth region. By dedicating just a few hours of your time, you’ll help tackle food insecurity, strengthen our neighborhoods, and contribute to building a more sustainable and equitable legacy for the FIFA World Cup 2026™
Why It Matters
Sustainability is more than recycling and green spaces it’s ensuring that everyone in our community has access to nutritious food and opportunities to thrive Volunteering helps reduce waste, share resources responsibly, and promote the kind of North Texas hospitality we want the world to experience when we welcome global fans in 2026.
Together, we can fight hunger, inspire change, and create a FIFA World Cup™ legacy that lasts far beyond the final whistle
Volunteers must be 18+, and t-shirts and light refreshments will be provided
Service Day Opportunities
Tarrant Area Food Bank
�� 2600 Cullen Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107
�� September 26, 2025
�� 9 AM – 12 PM & 1 PM – 3 PM
�� Register for Tarrant Area Food Bank
North Texas Food Bank–Perot Family Campus
�� 3677 Mapleshade Lane, Plano, TX 75075
�� October 25, 2025
�� 12:30 PM check-in, 1 PM – 3:30 PM
�� Register for North Texas Food Bank
What a way to begin this journey! Last week, the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee officially launched its Donor Program with two unforgettable evenings The first was high above the city at Tower Club Dallas and the second among legends at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth
Both events carried a palpable sense of excitement. Guests mingled with influential leaders, changemakers, and supporters who share a common vision: ensuring that the FIFA World Cup 2026™ leaves a legacy far beyond the final whistle From building mini-pitches and expanding youth soccer programs to championing art, culture, and community projects, this program is about transforming today’s momentum into tomorrow’s impact
“OUR ABILITY TO DELIVER AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE IN 2026 WILL SHAPE HOW NORTH TEXAS IS CONSIDERED FOR HOSTING FUTURE GLOBAL EVENTS. ” - DAN HUNT
From top left: Mariela Estrada, Raúl Estrada, Andres Ruzo, Andy Swift, Jaime Cabrera Right: Co-chairs Nina Vaca and Dan Hunt
We are grateful to our incredible hosts, Tower Club Dallas and the Cowgirl Museum, and to those who continue to champion this work, including Monica Paul, President of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee, and CoChairs Nina Vaca and Dan Hunt Special recognition goes to our Host City Supporter, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages and Jean Claude Tissot for their support, along with the many leaders who are making this legacy possible
The world’s game is coming to North Texas, and together we are building something that will live on for generations.
For more information on how you can take part in this once in a generation opportunity please
“NORTH TEXAS HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER, INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITIES, AND CREATE A LEGACY OF SOCCER, ART, AND OPPORTUNITY THAT WILL INSPIRE GENERATIONS LONG AFTER THE WORLD CUP. ” - MONICA PAUL
Top left: Monica Paul From bottom left: Steve Montgomery, Onyinye Akujuno, David Cooke, Bob Jameson
The Strategerist Podcast
Monica Paul on Making Dallas a Sports Capital
Monica Paul, President of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee joined host Andrew Kaufmann and Kevin “Sully” Sullivan, Senior Advisor at the Bush Center and former White House Communications Director Together, they recorded a special live taping at the Bush Center They discussed the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026™, the beginnings of her sports career, and her hopes for the region.
Click here to listen
Dallas Morning News
Meet Monica Paul, the Tour de Force of Dallas’ 2026 World Cup
After 16 years of pitching and preparation, the final countdown for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun Monica Paul has been the leader throughout
Click here for the full article
Dallas Business Journal
2025 Women in Business Awards
We are proud to share that Monica Paul, President of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee, was honored with a 2025 Women in Business Award by the Dallas Business Journal Monica’s leadership and vision continue to inspire and uplift our region, and this award celebrates her enduring contributions to North Texas and beyond
Click here for the full article
TOYOTA STADIUM
Toyota Stadium, home to FC Dallas and the National Soccer Hall of Fame, is a 74 x 117 yard pitch featuring Latitude 36 Bermuda grass. The venue has hosted international teams including the US Men’s and Women’s National Teams and Mexico, as well as marquee events such as the SheBelieves Cup, NCAA FCS Championships, and the Frisco Bowl A record 22,565 fans attended FC Dallas vs LA Galaxy in 2011, and the adjacent Toyota Soccer Complex adds 17 fields, making it a true hub for the game
DALLAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
Patriot Soccer Field, home to Dallas Baptist University’s men ’ s and women ’ s soccer programs, is a premier 75’ x 110’ pitch featuring TifTuf turf Originally constructed in 2014 and renovated in June 2025, the venue has hosted NCAA S h C l R i l
REPYOURCITY
Show your North Texas pride and celebrate the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by sporting official Host City merchandise. Every purchase is a chance to rep your city, share in the excitement, and be part of this once-in-a-lifetime moment coming to our region
