The wait is over. The 2026 World Cup kicks off Thursday at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico will face South Africa.
Three days later, the first of nine matches scheduled at Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) will take place, featuring Japan against the Netherlands. This will be the first World Cup in history hosted by three countries — the United States, Mexico, and Canada — and the first to feature 48 teams.
Here’s what to know about all the teams playing in Arlington or based in North Texas, and here’s the full list of 48:
Europe (UEFA), 16 teams: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czechia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye
Africa (CAF), 10 teams: Algeria, Cape Verde, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, TunisiaAsia (AFC) nine teams: Australia, Iraq, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan
South America (CONMEBOL), six teams: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
North, Central America & the Caribbean (CONCACAF), six teams: Canada (host), Curaçao, Haiti, Mexico (host), Panama, U.S. (host)
Oceania (OFC), one team: New Zealand
Fair Park is welcoming thousands of soccer fans from around the world for the FIFA Fan Festival, a 34-day party with concerts, watch parties and more, all for free. Registration is open and includes the option for paid, premium admission during the tournament match days. The festival runs from June 11 to July 19, with five days off. Here’s what to know.
Here are our guides to watch parties, food and drinks for locals and visitors alike.
Officials are urging locals attending the matches to drive, leaving public transportation to international visitors. Those who work in Arlington’s entertainment district will also be encouraged to work from home on match days to help with traffic congestion.
For one, the venue will be known as Dallas Stadium for the duration of the tournament. Here’s a look at what else has transformed: