World Cup Updates: Business Opportunities, Ambassador Row & More

Published on December 17, 2025

FIFA World Cup Dallas Logo

By Susan Schrock, Office of Communication

Setting up and running the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in North Central Texas will require everything from catered lunches to cleaning services to heavy construction, and the City of Arlington wants to make sure its local restaurants, contractors, suppliers and other businesses are aware of opportunities to pursue these bid opportunities.

That’s why the City is encouraging Arlington businesses of all sizes to register for the North Texas Business Connect Program to stay informed about upcoming procurement opportunities tied to next summer’s event. The program was one of several updates Deputy City Manager Jennifer Wichmann and the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee shared with the City Council during its Dec. 16, 2025, afternoon meeting. The Council also heard the latest on topics such as the event’s expected economic impact now that the teams playing here have been announced as well as ways the City is preparing for the influx of millions of fans from around the world.

Watch the Dec. 16 City Council Afternoon Meeting

North Texas Business Connect Program

In preparation for the World Cup, the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee established the North Texas Business Connect Program to engage with local suppliers and maximize their procurement opportunities for goods and services. For example, 20 bid opportunities are available on the program website related to the build out of the Fan Festival in Dallas.

The program is open to businesses in Tarrant, Dallas, Collin, Denton, Kaufman, Parker, Johnson, Ellis, Rockwall, Hood, Parker and Wise counties. Register for the North Texas Business Connect Program and see the current list of opportunities: North Texas Business Connect Program - FIFA World Cup 26 Dallas™

Economic Impact

Nine World Cup matches will be played at AT&T Stadium, which will be referred to as Dallas Stadium during the regional event. Between late May and the final match here in July, an estimated 3.8 million visitors are expected in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington region for World Cup activities. That’s about 100,000 visitors a day. An economic impact study is underway, which is required by the Governor's Office for the City to request reimbursement for eligible expenses through the State Major Events Reimbursement Program. Arlington’s $1 million local match for state grant funding will come from the City’s Event Trust Fund.

Once released, that report will have more detail on the economic impact. Currently, the event is projected to bring a $1.5 billion to $2.1 billion economic impact to the region. The City of Arlington’s expenses are expected to be fully covered by FIFA and through state and federal grant funding. The City is expected to sign a direct agreement with the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee in early 2026, which will facilitate expense reimbursement with FIFA.

Ambassador Row

Now that almost all of the teams that will be competing in Arlington have been announced; the City is inviting consulates from those countries to set up temporary offices inside Choctaw Stadium next summer. This hub, called Ambassador Row, would be designed to provide a convenient location for World Cup fans traveling in from other countries to meet with their consulates about issues such as passports and travel documents, emergency assistance, and helping them get in contact with their families or financial institutions.

Argentina, Austria, Croatia, England, Japan, Jordan and The Netherlands are the confirmed teams that will play in Arlington next June and July. One additional team that will be competing here is expected to be confirmed by March 2026.

Upcoming Events

The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee will soon announce the locations of new mini-pitches, which are small soccer practice amenities, that will be built in communities as part of the World Cup’s lasting legacy.  

Other upcoming events:

  • The first of 5,000 estimated media members will begin moving into the new International Broadcast Center in Dallas in January.
  • The locations of team base camps will be announced in January.
  • A community cleanup challenge is expected in March.
  • March 3 is 100 days out from the first World Cup match in Arlington.
  • The World Cup trophy will be on tour in the region from April 24-26.

For more information, visit www.dallasfwc26.com.

 

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