World Cup 2026: Unlocking Business Opportunities, Ambassador Hub, and More in North Central Texas
Published: December 17, 2025
By: Susan Schrock, Office of Communication
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ in North Central Texas is set to be a massive undertaking, requiring a wide range of services from catering to construction. The City of Arlington is committed to ensuring local businesses are aware of the opportunities this event presents. That's why they're encouraging all businesses, big and small, to register for the North Texas Business Connect Program. This program aims to keep local suppliers informed about procurement opportunities, such as the 20 bid openings for the Fan Festival in Dallas.
During the City Council meeting on December 16, 2025, updates were shared by Deputy City Manager Jennifer Wichmann and the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee. The Council was informed about the event's economic impact, with an estimated 3.8 million visitors expected in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington region during the World Cup. This translates to approximately 100,000 visitors daily. An economic impact study is underway, and the City is preparing to request reimbursement for eligible expenses through the State Major Events Reimbursement Program.
The City's $1 million local match for state grant funding will come from the Event Trust Fund. Once the economic impact report is released, it will provide more detailed insights. Currently, the event is projected to bring a substantial economic boost of $1.5 billion to $2.1 billion to the region. The City's expenses are expected to be fully covered by FIFA and state and federal grant funding.
One unique aspect of the World Cup in Arlington is the Ambassador Row. With the announcement of most competing teams, the City is inviting consulates from those countries to set up temporary offices inside Choctaw Stadium next summer. Ambassador Row will serve as a hub for World Cup fans, providing essential services such as passport and travel document assistance, emergency support, and contact information for families and financial institutions.
Confirmed teams for June and July in Arlington include Argentina, Austria, Croatia, England, Japan, Jordan, and the Netherlands. An additional team is expected to be confirmed by March 2026.
Looking ahead, the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee will soon announce the locations of mini-pitches, small soccer practice facilities, to be built in communities as part of the World Cup's long-term legacy. Other upcoming events include the arrival of media members in the International Broadcast Center in January, the announcement of team base camps in January, a community cleanup challenge in March, and a special World Cup trophy tour in the region from April 24-26.
For more details, visit www.dallasfwc26.com.
