(From left) Nina Vaca, Co-Chair, North Texas World Cup Organizing Committee; Marc Nivet, Ed.D., M.B.A., Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement at UT Southwestern; Monica Paul, Executive Director of the Dallas Sports Commission and President, North Texas World Cup Organizing Committee; and Dan Hunt, Co-Chair, North Texas World Cup Organizing Committee.
DALLAS – Feb. 23, 2026 – Today, the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee announced that UT Southwestern Medical Center has been named an Official World Cup 2026™ Dallas Host City Supporter, joining a select group of leading organizations welcoming the world’s largest sporting event to North Texas.
“We share the enthusiasm for bringing the FIFA World Cup to North Texas and look forward to connecting with fans from all over the world,” said Marc Nivet, Ed.D., M.B.A., Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Professor in the UT Southwestern Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health. “This is a unique opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate not only the spirit of the game, but also the power of shared experiences to inspire healthier, stronger lives.”
As a Host City Supporter, UT Southwestern will participate in special activities and promotions throughout the region designed to celebrate the “beautiful game” and connect with soccer fans during this summer’s tournament. Additionally, UT Southwestern will help support the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee’s Legacy initiatives through various community engagement opportunities in the local area.
“We are proud to introduce UT Southwestern as our newest Official World Cup 2026™ Dallas Host City Supporter,” said North Texas FWC Organizing Committee President Monica Paul. “UT Southwestern has a storied tradition of helping so many in our North Texas community, the entire state of Texas, and around the globe, and we’re honored to partner alongside such an incredible organization during FIFA World Cup 2026™.
With the FIFA World Cup 26™ coming to North America for the first time in 32 years, Dallas will serve as one of 16 Host Cities, hosting nine matches, including a semifinal, and events throughout the tournament, which runs June 11 through July 19. The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee continues to build momentum through corporate partnerships, Legacy initiatives, and community programs designed to ensure that the impact of the tournament extends far beyond 2026.
About UT Southwestern
UT Southwestern, one of the nation’s premier academic medical centers, integrates pioneering biomedical research with exceptional clinical care and education. The institution’s faculty members have received six Nobel Prizes and include 24 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 25 members of the National Academy of Medicine, and 13 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators. The full-time faculty of more than 3,300 is responsible for groundbreaking medical advances and is committed to translating science-driven research quickly to new clinical treatments. UT Southwestern physicians in more than 80 specialties care for more than 143,000 hospitalized patients, attend to more than 470,000 emergency room cases, and oversee nearly 5.3 million outpatient visits a year.
About the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee
The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee is the official entity responsible for planning and delivering the FIFA World Cup 2026™ experience in North Texas. As one of the tournament’s key host cities, Dallas will welcome teams and fans from around the world, hosting nine matches at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, the International Broadcast Center at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, and a multiweek Fan Festival at Fair Park. The Official World Cup 2026™ Dallas Host City Supporters are UT Southwestern, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, and the North Texas Sports Foundation, all of which will play key roles in supporting community and Legacy initiatives aligned with the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee.
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