FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Recap

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Table of

Contents By the Numbers................................................. 03 Leadership......................................................... 05 Board of Directors.............................................. 06 Supporters and Donors...................................... 07 The Team ........................................................... 09 Road to ’26........................................................ 11 Big Moments...................................................... 15 In the Community............................................... 25 Art and Soul....................................................... 45 Legends of the Game........................................ 53 Volunteers.......................................................... 57 Houston Stadium............................................... 61 Matchdays.......................................................... 65 FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston.............................. 93 Legacy................................................................ 111 In the News........................................................ 127

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480K+ 34 Matchday Attendance

Days of FIFA Fan Festival™

1.1 Million

Houston World Cup Participants

551K+

3

FIFA Fan Festival™ and Soccer Celebration Attendance

13

Countries Played in Houston

Fans from

200+ Countries and Territories

More than

One Million Visitors to East Downtown

500K

Travelers to Houston

71

4,190

World Cup Volunteers

Safety & Security Agencies

197B

Combined Total Media Reach

5.5M

40+

4.5M

113K

Bayou Cleanups

Houston Airport System Passengers

METRO Rides

Downtown Houston Visits Per Day 4

Leadership

5

Juan Garcia

Ryan Walsh

John Arnold

Chris Canetti

Chairman, Harris County– Houston Sports Authority Board of Directors

CEO, Harris County–Houston Sports Authority and Sports Authority Foundation

Chairman, FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host Committee Board of Directors

President, FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host Committee

Board of Directors Derek Alexander, Arca Continental

Sean Guillory, Shell

Chris Boleman, Ph.D., Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

Ahmed Ibrahim, Aramco

Marc L. Boom, M.D., Houston Methodist

Carlos Jorda, Citgo

Alison Brooks, Visit Sugar Land

Gin Kinney, NRG

Bo Cassidy, Quanta

Bruce Niemeyer, Chevron

Melinda Spaulding Chevalier, Rice University

Laura Spanjian, Airbnb

Zach Davis, Cheniere Energy

Ted Segal, Houston Dynamo and Dash

Saamir Elshihabi, Oxy

Mike Tomon, Lone Star Sports and Entertainment

Ryan Forth, Sysco

Jason Wells, CenterPoint Energy

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Supporters & Donors

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8

The Team

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10

JUNE 2022

The Houston 2026 Bid Committee is formed, announcing that Houston will compete to become one of 16 host cities for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

At FIFA’s 68th Congress in Moscow, the United Bid wins to host the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by a vote of 134-65.

Houston is officially announced as one of the 16 host cities for FIFA World Cup 2026™.

OCTOBER 2021

Harris County–Houston Sports Authority submits official bid documents for Houston to be an Official Host City as part of the United Bid.

11

2019

The United Bid Committee of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico launches their joint bid for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and begins outreach to potential Official Host Cities.

2018

2017

Road to ’26

FIFA conducts a site visit to evaluate Houston as a potential FIFA World Cup 2026™ host city.

MARCH 2025

AUGUST 2025

“Dare to Dream” by Houston artist Stephanie Leal is unveiled as the Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host City Poster.

Applications open for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ volunteer program. More than 1.1 million applications were submitted across the host countries, with more than 50,000 applicants selected, including 4,190 in Houston.

TRIONDA, the official match ball, is unveiled, featuring a red, green, and blue color scheme honoring the three host countries. Its four-panel construction forms a triangle at the center, symbolizing the historic union of the three host nations.

OCTOBER 2025

MAY 2025

East Downtown, the “art and soul” of Houston, is named the home of FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston, with the festival set to run all 34 days of the tournament.

12

13

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee officially moves into NRG Stadium and East Downtown to begin the operational build out of the two World Cup sites.

The grass for Houston Stadium’s pitch arrives for installation after being grown and cultivated in Colorado.

The tournament kicks off as fans line up at FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston hours before its official opening to watch Mexico vs. South Africa in the first match of FIFA World Cup 2026™.

JUNE 11, 2026

MAY 1, 2026

he Final Draw unveils the FIFA World Cup 2026™ groups. The following day, the schedule is released, confirming Germany, Curaçao, Portugal, the Netherlands, Uzbekistan, Cabo Verde, and Saudi Arabia will play in Houston, with two group-stage teams to be determined following the Play-Off Tournament, and additional opponents to be decided for the knockout rounds.

DECEMBER 2025

Democratic Republic of Congo selects Houston as the site of its official Team Base Camp. Les Léopards arrived on June 11.

MAY 26, 2026

APRIL 15, 2026

NOVEMBER 2025

The FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host Committee and the Sports Authority Foundation launch Impact Houston 26, ensuring the World Cup creates a legacy in Houston that lasts decades.

JULY 4, 2026

JUNE 14, 2026

Houston’s final FIFA World Cup 2026™ match is played, with Morocco defeating Canada to move on to the quarterfinals.

The Netherlands’ iconic pre-match Oranje Fanwalk arrives in Houston, bringing tens of thousands of fans into the streets. Their opponent, Sweden, has thousands of supporters for their own march to the stadium.

JULY 19, 2026

JUNE 20, 2026

The first FIFA World Cup 2026™ match played in Houston Stadium is an unforgettable moment. Germany plays first-time participant Curaçao in Houston’s opening match.

A capacity crowd fills FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston to watch Spain defeat Argentina 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final.

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BIG MOM 15

MENTS 16

Winning the Bid The joint “United Bid” of the United States, Mexico, and Canada officially won the hosting rights for FIFA World Cup 2026™. On June 13, 2018, at the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow, the North American bid defeated Morocco in a 134 to 65 vote.

17

500 Days Out On January 27, 2025, the FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host Committee, Harris County–Houston Sports Authority and its Board of Directors, Mayor John Whitmire, elected officials, and a host of leaders throughout the region celebrated 500 Days Out from the tournament’s start.

18

NRG Partnership Announcement In February 2025, NRG Energy was announced as an inaugural FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host City Supporter, becoming one of the first local partners to help the city deliver the world’s biggest sporting event. The partnership also extended into the community through initiatives including youth soccer clinics hosted by Reliant, an NRG company, with RISE Soccer Club and U.S. soccer legend and Texas native Clint Dempsey.

19

EaDo Named Home of FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston On May 15, 2025, it is announced that East Downtown will be home to FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston, and that it will be open all 34 days of the tournament. The “art and soul” of Houston, East Downtown’s culture, thriving local scene, and ongoing transformation made it the perfect stage to host the central gathering place for the passion and energy that defines the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

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One Year Out

A celebration at POST Houston marked the “One Year to Go” milestone for FIFA World Cup 2026™, bringing together leaders from the City of Houston and Harris County, along with key partners. Mayor John Whitmire, former U.S. Men’s National Team captain Carlos Bocanegra, and Houston legend Warren Moon helped build excitement as Houston entered the final year of preparations for the tournament.

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Sugar Land Partnership Announcement As an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston, Visit Sugar Land engaged the local community in volunteer and youth development programs, launched marketing campaigns, and activated its world-class venues including Sugar Land Town Square, First Colony Mall, Smart Financial Centre, Constellation Field, and Sugar Land Regional Airport.

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Global Community Kickoff On January 23, 2026, the Harris County– Houston Sports Authority, Houston Host Committee, and Houston First brought together local consulates, the U.S. Department of State, and international community leaders for a FIFA World Cup 26™ Kickoff Reception at The Post Oak Hotel. The event shared tournament updates, fostered international collaboration, and engaged Houston’s global community as the city prepared to welcome the world.

23

Rice University Partnership Announcement

Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host City Supporter, Rice University had a presence throughout Houston’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ journey.

Rice held “Soccer’s Coming Home Countdown Tour: 99 Days Out LIVE from Houston,” a special live taping of the Men in Blazers podcast, and at FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston, Rice’s interactive booth connected its history of scientific innovation with one of the world’s biggest sporting events. Rice Stadium also served as the starting point for the Netherlands’ iconic Oranje Fanwalk.

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IN THE COM 25

MMUNITY 26

Mascots in Houston In October 2025, FIFA World Cup 26™ mascots Clutch the Bald Eagle, Maple the Moose, and Zayu the Jaguar made their first appearance in Houston. The three mascots – one for each host nation – reflect the vibrant culture, heritage and spirit of their respective countries, coming together to symbolize unity, diversity and the shared passion for the beautiful game.

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Men in Blazers Countdown Live To mark 99 days until the start of FIFA World Cup 26™, Men in Blazers hosted a special live taping of its podcast at Rice University on March 4, 2026. Host Roger Bennett was joined by Houston’s iconic No. 99, J.J. Watt, who played 10 seasons with the Houston Texans and is now a minority owner of Burnley FC. The star-studded lineup also featured two-time NBA champion and Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon, USWNT and Houston Dash players Jane Campbell and Yazmeen Ryan, and retired U.S. Army officer and veteran NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough.

Together, the hometown icons showcased Houston’s rich sports culture and its place on the global stage.

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EaDo Community Meetings As the neighborhood hosting FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston, the Houston Host Committee and Sports Authority Foundation engaged EaDo community members throughout the World Cup lead-up.

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Game Changers Women in Sports Leadership Panel Visit Sugar Land hosted “Game Changers: Women in Sports Leadership” at Smart Financial Centre, bringing together female executives from Houston’s professional sports organizations for an inspiring conversation on leadership, community impact, and the power of sports.

Moderated by Houston Host Committee President Chris Canetti, the panel featured Hannah McNair, Chief Community Officer and Vice President of the Houston Texans Foundation; Anita Sehgal, Executive Vice President of Marketing & Communications for the Houston Astros; Gretchen Sheirr, President of Business Operations for the Houston Rockets & Toyota Center; and Jessica O’Neill, President of Business Operations for Houston Dynamo FC and Houston Dash. The event celebrated the women shaping Houston’s sports landscape as the region prepared to step onto the global stage for FIFA World Cup 26™.

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Airbnb Guinness World Record Airbnb and the FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host Committee set a Guinness World Record at Hermann Park on April 11, 2026, for the longest continuous line of soccer balls by arranging

1,036 soccer balls.

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FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour In May 2026, the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola brought the original tournament trophy to Houston as part of a global journey spanning 30 countries and 75 stops. More than 13,300 fans attended the weekend’s events for an up-close look at football’s most coveted prize.

13,300 Fans Attended

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Oranjebus Arrives in Galveston One of the most recognizable symbols in international soccer arrived in the United States through Galveston on June 11, 2026. Following a trans-Atlantic journey, the Netherlands’ iconic orange double-decker fan bus, “De beroemde Oranjebus,” entered the U.S. in Texas at Port Galveston before making a special stop at Saengerfest Park.

A fixture of Dutch fan celebrations around the world, the Oranjebus served as a centerpiece throughout the tournament and joined tens of thousands of Netherlands supporters for the June 20 Oranje Fanwalk in Houston.

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Base Camp Community Day One day after arriving in Houston to their official Team Base Camp at SaberCats Stadium, the Democratic Republic of Congo team participated in a community training session, which included photos and an autograph session with local youth soccer players.

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World Cup Store Opens in Sugar Land

On June 4, 2026, Sugar Land celebrated the opening of the region’s first Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Store with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Sugar Land Town Square, giving fans a dedicated destination for official tournament merchandise.

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Road to the Cup Championship soccer extended beyond Houston Stadium this summer. At FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston’s Aramco Arena, boys and girls from across the Houston region and South Texas competed in the finals of Road to the Cup, presented by Reliant. The 7v7 youth tournament, which kicked off in March 2026, culminated with championship matches across the U11 through U18/19 age groups, giving young athletes the opportunity to compete on a one-of-a-kind stage during FIFA World Cup 26™.

125 Teams

1,500 Texas Athletes

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Watch Parties at Sugar Land Town Square

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Space Center Houston Galaxy’s Game, a limited-time Space Center Houston experience, brought together the global excitement for FIFA World Cup 2026™ and the wonder of space exploration through one-of-a-kind artifacts, dynamic visuals, hands-on activities, and engaging storytelling.

The experience, which was designed for all ages, explored how the drive for excellence on the field mirrors humanity’s pursuit of discovery beyond Earth.

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Football Fiesta Football Fiesta connected FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston with East Downtown’s surrounding bars, restaurants, and creative spaces, transforming the neighborhood into one continuous, high-energy World Cup experience.

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Participating Local Businesses

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Unprecedented Public Safety Collaboration

71 Agencies and Organizations collaborated in Houston’s safety and security operation at the city, county, regional, state, federal, and international levels, providing personnel, resources, expertise, intelligence, operational support, and emergency response capabilities.

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3,500+

public safety professionals participated in Houston’s Safety & Security Operations

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Flying High Houston Airport Systems welcomed millions of passengers through George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport during FIFA World Cup 26™ from June 12–July 6.

4.5M Total Passengers

439K+

International Passengers

+2%

International Arrivals Year-Over-Year CHARTER OPERATIONS

60 Flights

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National Teams

5,800 Passengers

Moving People Forward Boosted by service enhancements and increased frequency, Houston’s transportation network successfully connected Houston Stadium, FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston, East Downtown, downtown hotels, and entertainment districts throughout the tournament. Boosted by service enhancements and increased frequency, Houston’s transportation network successfully connected Houston Stadium, FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston, East Downtown, downtown hotels, and entertainment districts throughout the tournament.

5.5M

METRO Rides from June 12–July 8

500K

METRORail Boardings Across Matchdays

+50%

METRORail Matchday Boardings vs. Daily Average 44

ART & 45

& SOUL 46

Art of Soccer Launched in 2019, the Art of Soccer campaign brought together Houston businesses, artists, and community partners to celebrate the city’s FIFA World Cup 26™ journey through art.

Ahead of the tournament, the campaign returned to showcase Houston’s creativity, culture, and passion for the global game through more than

150 custom-designed soccer balls.

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Sonic ID For FIFA World Cup 26™, each Host City selected a local producer to remix the Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Theme, creating a custom Sonic ID that captured the sound and spirit of its city. Houston partnered with Bombón, a DJ collective known for blending Latin sounds, cumbia, and Houston rap into its signature “screwmbia” style, giving Houston’s Sonic ID a sound all its own.

Official Poster FIFA World Cup 26™ commissioned official posters across all 16 Host Cities to showcase the unique spirit of each destination. In Houston, local artists were invited to submit designs, with Houston artist Stephanie Leal’s “Dare to Dream” selected as the winning poster. Her design celebrates the people, culture, and traditions that define the city, with nods to Houston’s legacy of space exploration, cultural diversity, rodeo spirit, and Texas-sized passion for the beautiful game.

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Talent Search

300+ performers

auditioned for the opportunity to perform on the FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston main stage during a regional talent search in April 2026.

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Sustainability Art Program Through Impact Houston 26, local K–12 students transformed environmental education into public art along the newly created Green Corridor. In partnership with Houston ISD’s sustainability and fine arts departments, students created murals, digital artwork, and 3D installations exploring themes of resilience, sustainable mobility, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

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Participating Schools: • Elrod Elementary School • Helms Elementary School • Lewis Elementary School • Longfellow Elementary School • Osborne Elementary School • Gregory Lincoln Education Center • Forest Brook Middle School • Hamilton Middle School • Tanglewood Middle School • Westside High School

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Public Art 10

murals

24 local artists

from the collective Free Walls transformed 60+ public safety barricades surrounding the FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston footprint into works of art.

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commissioned by the FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host Committee and Sports Authority Foundation.

Pinklomein (Ashley Price)

Jatziri (Jatziri Brown)

The Malkan Group (Amy Malkan)

Kneat.Design (Ernesto Sandoval)

Baptiste (Mattheiu Baptiste)

Donkeeboy

Nicky Davis

Elizabeth Umanazor

Eyeful Art (Sebastien Boileau)

Exwon Art (Gbegna Ayeni)

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LEGENDS OF 53

F THE GAME 54

ALEXI LALAS

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CARLOS BOCANEGRA

STU HOLDEN

CLINT DEMPSEY

BREK SHEA, CARLOS BOCANEGRA, GEOFF CAMERON

COBI JONES

DAMARCUS BEASLEY

TONY MEOLA

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VOLUN 57

NTEERS 58

Volunteer Center Opens

Uniform Reveal

The Houston Volunteer Center opened on October 20, 2025 in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at POST Houston. Houston’s volunteer team was reflective of the city’s diversity, representing 30 different countries and ranging in age from 18 to 81.

35K

Volunteer Applications Received in Houston 59

4,190

Volunteers Selected in Houston

Volunteers in Action

Volunteer Appreciation Day

116K+ Volunteer Hours Completed

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HOUSTON 61

N STADIUM 62

The Pitch To create consistent playing surfaces across the tournament, FIFA required natural grass pitches at every stadium.

24

refrigerated trucks delivered the grass from Denver, CO

Houston’s grass was a mix of

84%

Kentucky Bluegrass and

16%

Perennial Ryegrass 63

12

grow lights brought in from the Netherlands Each roll of grass was up to

50 feet long and could weigh as much as

2,000 lbs

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MATCH 65

HDAYS 66

ARG

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Houston Match Schedule

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GERMANY 7–1 CURAÇAO JUNE 14, 2026

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68,021 Total Fans Attended

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PORTUGAL 1–1 CONGO DR JUNE 17, 2026

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68,777 Total Fans Attended

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NETHERLANDS 5–1 SWEDEN JUNE 20, 2026

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68,777 Total Fans Attended

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PORTUGAL 5–0 UZBEKISTAN JUNE 23, 2026

75

68,777 Total Fans Attended

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CABO VERDE 0–0 SAUDI ARABIA JUNE 26, 2026

77

68,278 Total Fans Attended

78

BRAZIL 2–1 JAPAN JUNE 29, 2026

79

68,777 Total Fans Attended

80

CANADA 0–3 MOROCCO JULY 4, 2026

81

68,777 Total Fans Attended

82

Oranje Fanwalk An estimated

55,000

fans joined in matchday marches to Houston Stadium

83

Sweden Fan March

84

Portugal Fan March

85

Uzbekistan Fan March

86

Canada Fan March

87

Morocco Fan March

88

Brazil Fan Meet Up

89

Brazil Fan March

90

Host City Lounge

91

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FIFA FAN FESTIV 93

VAL™ HOUSTON VAL 94

Groundbreaking On May 1, 2026, the construction of the

275,000 sq. ft.

FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston began in East Downtown.

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Opening Event

96

First Kick Each day at FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston began with a ceremonial “First Kick” led by a special guest. Guests included Mayor John Whitmire, Cynthia Cooper, Carl Lewis, Tony Meola, Dan Pastorini, IShowSpeed, Sheryl Swoopes, Vince Young, and many others.

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First Kick Celebrities

ISHOWSPEED

SHERYL SWOOPES

97

TONY MEOLA

CYNTHIA COOPER, DAN PASTORINI, VINCE YOUNG

CARL LEWIS

MAYOR JOHN WHITMIRE

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Center Stage

200+

performances showcased local, national, and international talent throughout the tournament.

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100

Houston Hall An immersive celebration of Houston showcased the city’s culture through interactive experiences from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ and Space Center Houston, live paintings by renowned sports artist Opie Otterstad, Art Cars, and Houston-inspired food and beverage offerings.

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102

Best Seat in the House

103

Aramco Arena FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston was the only FIFA Fan Festival to feature an on-site soccer pitch, made possible through a oneof-a-kind investment by Aramco.

The Aramco Arena brought the game directly to fans, youth teams, and community groups with opportunities to play, learn, practice, and develop their skills. The pitch also hosted the championship matches of Road to the Cup, presented by Reliant, a Houston-area 7v7 youth soccer tournament.

108 Hours of Play

4,300

Youth and Adults Played on the Aramco Arena Pitch

Beyond the pitch, Aramco Arena featured a 45-foot-wide screen for viewing FIFA World Cup 26™ matches and an immersive soccer simulator where fans could test their speed and accuracy.

104

Esphera A striking projection dome inspired by the official FIFA World Cup 2026™ match ball, Esphera served as a festival centerpiece. Inside Esphera, Space Center Houston delivered a 360-degree immersive experience blending innovation, storytelling, and technology.

105

Keeping Cool Heat mitigation was a priority in the design and operation of FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston, with cooling stations, shade, hydration, and air-conditioned spaces incorporated throughout the site to help keep fans, staff, and volunteers comfortable throughout the summer tournament.

106

Sponsor Activations

107

108

109

110

LASTING 111

LEGACY 112

Building a Lasting Legacy In November 2025, the FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host Committee and the Sports Authority Foundation launched Impact Houston 26, a legacy initiative designed to deliver meaningful and long-lasting benefits for communities across the region. Impact Houston 26 represents a unified effort to establish impactful legacy initiatives and set an example for future host cities globally across any event. It also ensures that legacy remains a primary objective and that the programs are sustainable well beyond 2026.

Operating under the Sports Authority Foundation, the Harris County–Houston Sports Authority’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to community-focused and charitable sports initiatives, Impact Houston 26 is guided by its three core pillars of Grow the Game, Defend Human Rights, and Protect the Environment.

Grow the Game’s legacy efforts address the lack of access to soccer in underserved communities. Impact Houston 26’s Human Rights initiatives uphold and advance human rights for every worker, fan, and community member, and included the development of trainings on human trafficking and accessibility. Impact Houston 26’s sustainability pillar focused on bold and innovative environmental leadership that aligned with FIFA’s sustainability standards and incorporated local resilience priorities in Houston’s communities.

113

Expanding access, empowerment, and passion for soccer across Houston.

Protecting dignity and equity during and beyond the World Cup.

Sustainability programs uniting every Houstonian in the effort to protect our planet and future, because ‘sustainability starts with Hou.’

114

FREEKICKS Soccer In February 2026, FREEKICKS Soccer was launched as an unprecedented collaborative effort among Impact Houston 26, the City of Houston, Harris County Precincts 1-4, and the youth soccer community.

The initiative will construct and refurbish 23 soccer pitches across six parks in Harris County: Blue Ridge Park, George Bush Park, Moody Park, Alabonson Park, Baytown Soccer Complex and Keith-Wiess Park. Additionally, the City of Houston transferred operations of Moody Park and Keith-Wiess Park to Harris County Precinct 2.

FREEKICKS Soccer also brings organized soccer to these parks by collaborating with the area’s top youth soccer clubs, who will run operations at these locations. The local youth soccer clubs supporting this commitment include Albion Hurricanes F.C., Baytown Saints Youth Soccer Club, GFI Academy, HTX Soccer, and SG1.

These clubs will collectively invest an estimated $1.5 million initially in the program and provide more than 1,200 annual scholarships to boys and girls in underserved communities annually.

$1.5M 115

Initial Investment

1,200 Youth Scholarships

23

New and Refurbished Soccer Fields

116

Soccer Clinics Aramco, Cheniere, NRG, and Sugar Land put on youth clinics throughout the leadup to FIFA World Cup 26™, bringing together soccer legends and top coaches to support local boys and girls.

Coach for Community, in partnership with U.S. Soccer, provided free training and development opportunities aimed at empowering local volunteers and supporters to access coaching resources and address the growing shortage of coaches and referees in youth soccer.

117

118

Defend Human Rights Impact Houston 26’s Defend Human Rights pillar led to the Human Rights Action Plan, which was developed with over 100 stakeholders and reflects Houston’s values and responsibility on a global stage.

From on-site accommodations at FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston to broader worker and community protections, the Houston Host Committee implemented: • • • • • • •

Responsible Contracting Policy Multi-Faith Prayer Rooms Sensory Accommodations Human Trafficking Support Worker Support Hub Nursing Rooms Accessibility Integrations

The Host Committee developed World Cup–specific trainings on human trafficking and accessibility for key sectors and groups, including transportation, volunteers, and the hospitality industry. The human trafficking training was developed in partnership with A21, and both trainings were recorded by Inspire.

119

100+

Stakeholders Collaborated on Houston’s Human Rights Action Plan

400+

Visits to FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston’s Multi-Faith Prayer Rooms 120

Green Corridor The Green Corridor, a 14-mile sustainable transit loop, celebrates both existing green infrastructure and new investments benefiting Houston’s communities.

Born from a collaboration among 30+ organizations, the corridor unifies Houston’s public transit routes, hike-and-bike trails, and public spaces into a connected experience linking key FIFA World Cup 2026™ venues.

Improvements along the Green Corridor under Impact Houston 26 include an expanded tree canopy, pollinator gardens, innovation demonstrations, air quality monitoring, student art, and bike repair and water stations.

48

Prairie and Pollinator Gardens Built

1,500+ 121

Trees Planted

Chevron Resilient Pitch Chevron and Impact Houston 26 renovated a Mason Park soccer field as part of a broader series of beautification efforts to transform the park. Inspired

by Impact Houston 26’s Sustainable Soccer Fields Toolkit, the reimagined pitch demonstrates how community soccer fields can serve as a model in sustainability and resiliency for others to replicate.

Upon its completion, the Mason Park improvements will also include more than 130 new trees, the removal of invasive plant species, the creation of a habitat restoration area, a children’s nature exploration area created by Houston Community ToolBank, new picnic tables, and updated bleachers.

122

Sustainability Badge Program and Toolkits

123

Recognizing the responsibility to demonstrate environmental leadership, the Houston Host Committee and Sports Authority Foundation developed sustainability toolkits that provided organizations, schools, and community partners with practical ways to take action and earn badges for their sustainability efforts.

39

Schools Participated

7,468

Students Earned the Sustainable School Badge

80+

Hotels and Restaurants Earned the Sustainable Hospitality Badge 124

Beautification Efforts

40+

Bayou Cleanups

1,000+

125

Volunteers for Watershed Restoration and Litter Prevention Events

A More Circular FIFA Fan Festival™ 138,429 sq. ft.

Turf Donated to Community Partners

4.8 tons Food Surplus Donated

14.1 tons

Food and Material Composted

95%

Mesh Banner Recovered for Reuse

1.25 tons

Soft Plastics Recovered for Advanced Recycling

126

IN THE

IN THE

127

E NEWS

E NEWS

128

Global Spotlight Cape Verde’s Surprise: How The Smallest Nation Ever To Reach The Knockout Stages Of A World Cup Is Proving Nothing Is Impossible

Local World Cup fans wave many flags in multicultural Houston

By Michael Kahn I Published June 22, 2026

By Nick Said I Published June 28, 2026

Building for the World Cup: Houston promised a number of projects ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The city is staying true to those promises

FIFA World Cup executive says Houston is ‘one of the most well-prepared’ host cities

By Peter Warren I Published April 16, 2026

197B

Combined Total Media Reach 129

By Chandler France I Published June 5, 2026

67K Total Mentions

$1.83B Advertising Value Equivalent

96.3%

Positive or Neutral Sentiment

Social Buzz Houston proved its place on the world’s biggest stage. The world’s game came to Houston and people not only lived it, they shared it. Broadcast partners, media, fans, and creators took their experience to the internet—and drove the overwhelming majority of views about the World Cup in Houston.

4.5K

5,620

Earned and Fan Posts

2,320

Total Posts

Unique Channels Posted

363M

7.7B

Total Engagements

UGC - Fan & Creator

47%

Earned/Media Partners

37%

Owned Channels

16%

Total Views

84%

of All Posts from Earned & Fan Content

Source: MediaTrack Lens (June 9–July 20, 2026)

130

THANK YOU Houston welcomed the world for FIFA World Cup 2026™, the largest event in our region’s history. What the world experienced over those unforgettable 39 days was the result of years of vision, planning, and collaboration.

On behalf of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee, thank you to our supporters, donors, public officials, community partners, volunteers, and the countless organizations that came together to make this historic moment a huge success. Your generosity, partnership, and belief in our shared vision enabled Houston to welcome more than one million fans, host seven world-class matches, and deliver one of the longest-running FIFA Fan Festival™ celebrations in the world.

Together, we showcased the very best of Houston on the global stage and created a legacy that will continue to strengthen our community for generations to come.

Thank you for being a part of this extraordinary journey.

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