Community Makes a Difference at World Cup Lake Arlington Cleanup Event

Published on June 16, 2025

By Office of Communication

With less than one year to go before the FIFA World Cup™ kicks off in North Texas, the City of Arlington celebrated the milestone with more than just countdown clocks—it brought the community together in a big way for a cause that truly matters.

On Friday, June 13, nearly 200 volunteers signed up to take part in community cleanups held at two different locations around Lake Arlington, coming together to roll up their sleeves and make a positive environmental impact. The event, held from 9 to 11 a.m., was part of a regional effort to promote environmental sustainability and civic pride ahead of the 2026 tournament.

“We are here to support the sustainability of the North Texas community and helping here at Lake Arlington is part of water conservation, litter abatement, waste diversion—but also protecting and preserving biodiversity,” said Meghna Tare, Chief Sustainability Officer for the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee.

The cleanup was a collaboration between the City of Arlington, City of Fort Worth, Trinity River Authority, UTA, Trinity Coalition, and the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee. It’s one of several local efforts designed to ensure the global tournament leaves a legacy.

“We wanted to bring the community together to mark One Year-To-Go for the FIFA World Cup,” Tare said. “We want this to be something that has a lasting legacy, not something that just stays two months of the games.”

North Texas is set to host nine matches, including a semi-final, from June 14 to July 14, 2026. More sustainability events and community engagement opportunities are on the way. For details on upcoming efforts and how to get involved, Tare encouraged residents to visit the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee’s website at DallasFWC26.com.