The greatest sporting spectacle: how the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to Dallas

Dallas has hosted Super Bowls, NCAA Finals and countless major sporting events. But for Monica Paul, chair of the Dallas Sports Commission and executive director of the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee, each of these events only prepared the city for what she calls the “greatest sporting spectacle” it has ever hosted.

“This is on another level,” Paul said Sports stars. “Not because of the other events, but because of the long time, the countries that have been here, the players, the passion and the unity it has created in the whole region.”

Dallas drew heavily from its experience organizing American sports spectacles while adapting to the unique demands of soccer’s premier tournament.

“We had a good foundation with a world-class stadium and staff,” she said. “We looked at lessons about safety, security, traffic management and fan festivals. But we also knew that this event attracted many more international fans, so we had to adjust those plans.”

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That focus, Paul said, started the moment the supporters landed in Texas.

“We looked at the entire fan journey, from the airport to the hotels, transportation, the Fan Festival and finally the stadium. Everything had to feel seamless.”

Nearly three years of planning included 18 expert groups and close coordination with federal, state and local agencies. Even summer in Texas – temperatures hovered between 32 and 37 degrees Celsius – became part of the operational blueprint.

“Heat mitigation became a big part of our planning, from water refill stations and cooling tents to educating people about staying hydrated,” she said.

Yet it is the cultural impact of the World Cup that has left the deepest impression on Paul.

“I went to World Cups in Russia and Qatar, and when I came back I realized it’s almost impossible to explain what a World Cup feels like until you get there,” she said. «People come from all over the world. Sometimes their team is already eliminated, but they still celebrate football together. After our first match, I think a lot of people here finally understood what makes this tournament different.»

Argentinian fans marching through downtown Dallas, Dutch fans in orange and thousands gathering for Mexico’s games have transformed the city into a meeting place of cultures.

“When we saw nine games on the schedule, I was shocked,” Paul admitted. «But it also showed the confidence FIFA had in Dallas. They believed we could do it.»

With expected economic benefits of between $1.5 billion and $2.1 billion and ticket sales exceeding expectations, Paul believes the tournament has justified that confidence.

“Sometimes you can’t put a price tag on that,” Paul said. «The joy I saw all over the city makes you realize that there is more to life than just a match. It’s not just about a World Cup. It’s about the whole world.»

Published on July 1, 2026