The 2026 FIFA World Cup lands in North Texas with AT&T Stadium in Arlington—temporarily renamed Dallas Stadium—set to host nine matches, including a July 14 semifinal. Teams headed to Arlington include the Netherlands, Japan, England, Croatia, Argentina, Austria, Sweden, Jordan and others who will use nearby cities like Frisco, Mansfield and Kansas City for training bases. Squad announcements roll out in late May and early June, and the tournament will stretch across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The schedule at Dallas Stadium is stacked: five Group Stage games, four knockout matches and a semifinal on July 14. That makes it the single venue with the most matches in the tournament, which reshuffles the familiar World Cup rhythm for local fans. Expect a month of constant soccer energy spilling into Arlington’s entertainment districts and beyond.

First Group Stage Match – June 14: Netherlands vs Japan kicks off the North Texas slate at 3 p.m. The Netherlands plans to base in the Kansas City area while Japan trains in Nashville, so both teams will travel to Arlington for match day. The Netherlands is sharing a base camp arrangement that involves other heavyweights who will also play matches in the region.

England opens its North Texas play on June 17 at 3 p.m. against Croatia, and the English roster reveal is set for late May. England’s history at the World Cup is complicated—big expectations, often disappointment—but this team arrives with a deep pool of talent and a fan base ready to make noise. Croatia remains dangerous after recent strong World Cup runs and includes MLS hopeful Petar Musa among players to watch for roster consideration.

Argentina meets Austria at noon on June 22, and the timing of Lionel Messi’s participation is the tournament storyline nobody is taking lightly. Messi, who moved to MLS and continues to pile up trophies domestically, would be toward the end of a legendary international career if he plays. Austria returns to the World Cup stage after a long absence and will train away from Texas before arriving for the match.

Japan returns for a second North Texas match on June 25 to face Sweden, a side that punched its ticket late in qualification and will base in Frisco. Japan has advanced to knockouts at the last two World Cups, and Sweden brings a history of steady tournament performances. Both teams will test local crowds and bring distinct styles that make group play unpredictable.

Argentina’s second Arlington Group Stage game is June 27 against Jordan at 9 p.m., with Argentina heavily favored to progress from its group. Jordan makes its World Cup debut and will arrive in Texas after opening group matches on the West Coast. For local fans, that match is a rare chance to see a debutant national team on a big stage at Dallas Stadium.

Several teams have picked North Texas for base camps, turning the metro area into a training ground for the month-long event. Mansfield will host Czechia’s training site, and Frisco’s Toyota Stadium is slated for Sweden’s preparations, linking MLS infrastructure to World Cup logistics. These squad operations will draw international supporters into restaurants, bars and public viewing areas throughout the region.

Advancement rules remain simple: the top two teams in each group move on, joined by the eight best third-place finishers, while fourth-place teams are out. Dallas Stadium will host two Round of 32 matches on June 30 and July 3, plus a Round of 16 game on July 6, keeping Arlington central as knockout drama begins. Quarterfinals shift to Boston, Los Angeles, Miami and Kansas City between July 9 and 11, with the final slated for July 19 at the New York/New Jersey venue.

If you’re planning to buy tickets or park near Dallas Stadium, brace for steep costs tied to market pricing. Semifinal ticket listings were publicly reported in the five-figure range for top seats, and parking for the first match between the Netherlands and Japan was posted between $125 and $200, with semifinal parking from $200 to $275. Those numbers reflect FIFA’s dynamic pricing approach and the huge demand for in-person World Cup experiences.

Local hospitality and transport will be under the microscope as fans pour into Arlington and surrounding suburbs for a concentrated stretch of games. City and venue staff will be managing transit, security and fan zones, and nearby cities like Frisco and Mansfield will see increased foot traffic from supporters following base camp activities. For residents, that means weeks of packed schedules, international visitors and an economic splash tied to the biggest soccer event on the planet.

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