Arlington’s AT&T Stadium will host nine matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, most for any host site, including four knockout games.
Though it missed out on hosting the Final, the home of the Dallas Cowboys will host one of two semifinals.
Here are five dream matchups we’d love to see.
United States vs. Mexico
This is the obvious one.
Though the teams won’t be in the same group, a knockout-stage U.S.-Mexico match in Arlington would be the biggest match of the tournament, with the exception of the Final.
It would surely be the biggest men’s match in this continent’s history, replacing Mexico’s quarterfinal run in the 1986 World Cup, also held in Mexico. The teams met in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea, a 2-0 U.S. win that helped turn a mostly one-sided rivalry in the favor of the Americans over the next two decades. The U.S. has 13 wins since then, with Mexico claiming eight. Even if there isn’t a match between El Tri and the Stars and Stripes in the 2026 World Cup, area fans can enjoy the rivalry next month when the teams play in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals on March 21.
Next month’s meeting is the first between the teams at AT&T Stadium and first in North Texas since a 1-0 U.S. win on April 28, 2004 at the Cotton Bowl. Mexico hasn’t beaten the U.S. since 2019, a string that has included two draws and four American victories.
Argentina vs. Brazil
American fans will get another taste of South American soccer this summer when Copa America comes to the United States. AT&T Stadium is host to a few Copa America matches this summer, with a possible Argentina-Mexico quarterfinal match, but Argentina-Brazil isn’t a North Texas possibility.
Even though it will be in a different hemisphere, Superclásico de las Américas would attract just as many diehard fans as Concacaf’s biggest derby. Brazil is the most decorated national team in world history, hoisting the trophy a record five times. Argentina, though, is the reigning champion, defeating France in 2022 in arguably the best World Cup Final.
Any time these two teams play is a true spectacle, and neutral fans would likely say this would be the best possible international matchup for any soccer fan to witness in person at a World Cup. The teams haven’t played in a World Cup since 1990, when Argentina won, 1-0.
England vs. Germany
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark 60 years since England last won a major international trophy -- assuming it doesn’t win this summer’s Euro 2024 in Germany. Though there is no real reason for Americans to pull for the English -- in fact, it is usually the opposite -- the team is comprised mostly of stars from the most popular league in the world: The English Premier League, and many American soccer fans make it a habit to wake up early on weekends to watch.
So if you’re looking for recognizable stars outside of the U.S. and Mexico, an England match in North Texas might be the perfect introduction to the beautiful game.
The perfect opponent? There are a handful to choose from, including Scotland and France. But if this were a World Cup Final (which, sadly, won’t be in Arlington), Germany might be the most ideal choice for an iconic finish to the world’s biggest tournament. England beat West Germany 4-2 in London, and things could come full circle for the English with a win over Die Mannschaft.
Though an England-Germany matchup is highly unlikely for a Group match -- should they both qualify, they would likely both be seeded -- any pairing in the knockout round would be a tense affair.
Ireland vs. Australia
Look, we know that pretty much every country is going to have diehard fans looking to party. But if the annual Greenville Ave. St. Patrick’s Day Parade offers any type of preview, all of Dallas will embrace any type of Irish presence. And the Aussies also like to have a good time -- just check out an afterparty of a local Aussie Rules Football match or an AFL watch party.
Australia has been a mainstay at the World Cup, qualifying for the past five. Ireland, though, hasn’t been since 2002. The expanded field could be a great opportunity for an Irish representation, and lots of free-flowing Guinness, in 2026.
Slovenia vs. Nigeria
Dallas-Fort Worth is home to one of the largest Nigerian populations in North America, as West African culture and cuisine have become more common in North Texas over the past decade.
Nigeria, along with Cameroon and Ghana, represent some of the most consistent African teams on the world stage. Nigeria had a disappointing qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup, but will play in a semifinal match Wednesday in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Slovenia has qualified for two World Cups -- 2002 and 2010 -- and will return to this summer’s Euro tournament for the first time since 2000. Why Slovenia, you ask? Because of the world’s most famous Slovenian, who happens to reside in North Texas: Luka Dončić.
Dončić is a big soccer fan, and you better believe most North Texas soccer fans would pull for Slovenia in a World Cup match, especially if they aren’t playing the United States or Mexico.
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