\n AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is scheduled to host nine matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup | Image by Marcus E. Jones\/Shutterstock <\/p>\n
For the first time since 1994, North Texas hosted a FIFA World Cup match Sunday, and the verdict from many international fans inside Dallas Stadium was clear: the wait was worth it.<\/p>\n
A crowd of 69,285 attended the Group F match in Arlington, where the Netherlands and Japan played to a dramatic 2-2 draw, according<\/a> to ESPN. But beyond the action on the pitch, the stadium itself became one of the day\u2019s biggest talking points.<\/p>\n Dutch fans, many of whom arrived after an orange-clad fan march from nearby Choctaw Stadium, were visibly struck by what greeted them inside Dallas Stadium.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was great, really great. Truly American,\u201d one fan from the Netherlands told<\/a> FOX 4.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat a stadium. We don\u2019t have these kinds of stadiums in Europe,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Dallas Stadium Makes An Impression<\/p>\n Fans from both the Netherlands and Japan praised the atmosphere throughout the day. Many told FOX 4 the venue felt larger and louder than stadiums back home.<\/p>\n The players felt it, too.<\/p>\n Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk, who scored the opening goal in the 52nd minute, praised the venue after Japan fought back for the 2-2 draw.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it was a great experience in the big stadium, good atmosphere,\u201d van Dijk said, according<\/a> to Yahoo Sports. \u201cAnd, yeah, the pitch was fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Coming from one of Europe\u2019s most decorated defenders, \u201cfine\u201d carries some weight.<\/p>\n Stadium officials and FIFA\u2019s pitch team put in extensive work to get the natural grass surface ready for tournament play. Early player feedback suggests that work paid off.<\/p>\n Netherlands winger Crysencio Summerville, who scored in the 64th minute, also praised the pitch, stadium, and atmosphere after the match, according<\/a> to Yahoo Sports.<\/p>\n Japanese Fans Win Praise<\/p>\n The Japanese supporters, though outnumbered by the sea of Dutch orange, made their own impression.<\/p>\n After the final whistle, Japan fans stayed behind and cleaned the stands, collecting trash before leaving the stadium, as previously reported<\/a> by The Dallas Express. The gesture, a familiar tradition among Samurai Blue supporters at World Cup matches, drew widespread praise online.<\/p>\n One Japanese supporter told The Dallas Express that the cleanup reflected respect for the players, other supporters, and the stadium.<\/p>\n Dallas\u2019 World Cup Moment<\/p>\n Dallas Stadium is hosting nine World Cup matches, the most of any venue in the tournament, including five group-stage games and a semifinal on July 14.<\/p>\n North Texas is also home to the tournament\u2019s International Broadcast Center at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and a 34-day FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park.<\/p>\n With England facing Croatia on Wednesday and Argentina set to make its Dallas debut June 22 against Austria, the stadium\u2019s biggest moments are still ahead.<\/p>\n If Sunday was any indication, the world is watching North Texas and liking what it sees.<\/p>\n