England fans celebrate at Texas Live! after England forward Harry Kane (9) scored a goal against Croatia during a World Cup Group L soccer match on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Near a thousand England and Croatia supporters stood shoulder to shoulder on both floors of Texas Live! in Arlington on Wednesday, their eyes fixed on giant screens as the World Cup match between the two countries got underway.
Flags of England were draped over second-floor railings already decorated with banners from around the world. Fans packed the venue, creating a mix of chants, songs and anticipation before erupting when England captain Harry Kane scored in the 12th minute.
England fans celebrate a first half goal by forward Harry Kane during the first half of a World Cup Group L soccer match against Croatia on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Arlington.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Along nearby Pennant Road, residents transformed front yards and fences into makeshift souvenir stands, selling cowboy hats, flags, towels and clear drawstring bags to fans making the walk toward the stadium.
On AT&T Way, children and adults stopped to have England and Croatia flags painted on their faces by Valentyna Yeryeramolaeva, who began painting shortly after 10 a.m.
Among them was Isabella Valdez, who stopped to get an English flag on her cheek. She traveled from Mexico City with her parents after they were unable to secure tickets closer to home.
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Isabella Valdez stopped to get an English flag painted on her face in Arlington, Texas, on June 17, 2026. She traveled from Mexico City to Dallas with her parents to watch the England-Croatia game after they weren’t able to get World Cup tickets closer to home.
Lola Jahant/Staff
Fans sought relief from the North Texas heat in parking lots and under shaded trees. The temperature reached 91 degrees in Arlington Wednesday, with a heat advisory in effect.
Along Pennant Road leading into AT&T Stadium, residents sold World Cup souvenirs over their backyard fences before the England vs. Croatia World Cup game on June 17, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
Lola Jahant/Staff
A group of friends from San Luis Potosí, Mexico, gathered in a Walmart parking lot across from Dallas Stadium before heading inside. Drawn by the chance to watch former Real Madrid teammates Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham face one another on the international stage, the group turned a planned stop into an impromptu tailgate.
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They were wearing a mix of England and Croatia soccer jerseys and team scarves. “We decided to buy beers and McDonald’s before heading inside.” Alvaro Orozco said. “It’s expensive to drink in the stadium.”
A group of friends from San Luis Potosí, Mexico, traveled to watch their favorite Real Madrid icons Luka Modric of Croatia and Jude Bellingham of England face off at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on June 17, 2026. From left: Jose Miguel Rocha, Juan Carlos Ramirez, Alvaro Orozco,
Javier Morales Suker, Alejandro Modric,
Luis Shearer and Jose Guadalupe Esparza.
Ryan Myers/Staff
Croatian fans gathered beneath trees in the same parking lot, singing chants and sharing drinks purchased nearby. Among them was Will and Quinn Hanigan, who traveled to Arlington to watch the game with their Croatian friend, Andrija Mijatovic. He stayed with their family in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as an exchange student in 2017.
“We’re gonna send them home,” Mijatovic said of England before kickoff.
Across North Collins Street, English supporters gathered beneath tents decorated with Texas and Dallas Cowboys flags. George Moriarty, who traveled from West London with his parents David and Susan Moriarty, said the trip doubled as a celebration of his father’s 70th birthday.
“This is massive, so we need a win,” Moriarty said. “It’s the toughest team we’re gonna play.”
England fans react as watching a World Cup Group L soccer match between England and Croatia at Texas Live!, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Arlington.
Chitose Suzuki/The Dallas Morning News
Wayne Richardson, 52, originally from London and now living in California, said he had concerns about the United States hosting the tournament before arriving in Texas.
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“I was a little bit apprehensive about a World Cup being in America,” Richardson said. “But Texas has put on a really, really good show.”
Nay Grottis, who is from South Africa, said this tournament in the United States has felt different from his memories of attending the 2010 FIFA World Cup in his home country, with intense crowds always present around the stadium.
“You could feel the energy,” Grottis said. “Here, there’s not as much really going on.”
But Shao Mahtni, who traveled from St. Maarten to attend Wednesday’s match after also watching the Netherlands-Japan match earlier in the tournament, said the atmosphere around the World Cup has exceeded expectations.
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“Everyone was talking negatively about the U.S. World Cup,” Mahtni said. “This has been a tremendous World Cup. The energy is off the charts.”
North Texas resident Grant Miller said England became his second team behind the United States.
“It’s a unique opportunity that doesn’t come around often,” Miller said about getting the chance to attend a World Cup game.
Asked about the visiting supporters he met throughout the day, Miller said the interactions had been one of the highlights of the event.
“They’re awesome,” he said. “Everyone is so nice and happy.”