ARLINGTON, Texas — Although AT&T Stadium will host more World Cup matches than any other venue, Dallas-Fort Worth officials are not finished lobbying FIFA.
As early as this week, local sports executives will push the federation to locate its international broadcast center at Dallas's Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. The group will also ask FIFA to headquarter its World Cup referees at Frisco's Toyota Stadium.
"If we're fortunate enough to land those, plus some visiting national teams, DFW is the epicenter of World Cup 2026," FC Dallas President and World Cup organizing Committee Chairperson Dan Hunt said. "There'll be no city or community that has more World Cup involvement or World Cup-centric things happening than right here in our backyard."
The international broadcast center serves as a 'home-away-from-home' for foreign journalists during major sporting events. Special coverage and TV broadcasts related to the World Cup will originate there.
Securing the broadcast center would ensure North Texas is highlighted globally throughout the tournament, even on days when no games are played at AT&T Stadium.
"Having nine matches helps," Hunt said. "That helps us in our bid to land the international broadcast center and helps us with the referee headquarters."
With the tournament schedule set, local officials can also begin planning fan festivals. The primary event will happen at Dallas's Fair Park, but Arlington's entertainment district, Fort Worth, Frisco and other cities will also host some events.
"Not everybody is going to get a ticket to go to the match, but you're definitely going to feel soccer, the passion, and culture of all visitors coming in," Dallas Sports Commission executive director Monica Paul said.
The organizing committee is also discussing "legacy" sites, such as new youth soccer complexes, that would commemorate the World Cup's arrival.
But Paul said safety and security is the committee's top planning priority, moving forward. The Arlington Police Department will have primary jurisdiction during matches played at AT&T Stadium, though other agencies will assist with crowd and traffic control.
The event poses a unique challenge to law enforcement, given the number of games. High-profile attendees, including foreign dignitaries, will also require special accommodations.
"We sent a small delegation to the last World Cup in Qatar, just to get an idea of the scope of this event and what it might look like," Arlington police spokesperson Tim Ciesco said. "That was a great learning opportunity for us."
In the coming months, local police will meet with FIFA, which sets its own security guidelines and expectations.