“Can you believe the World Cup is finally here?” exclaimed Monica Paul, president of the North Texas FIFA World Cup™ Organizing Committee, during a press conference on Wednesday. Joined by co-chairs Nina Vaca and Dan Hunt, Paul celebrated the grand opening of the Dallas Host City Media Center at the Dallas Convention Center. However, her reference to “here” extended beyond just the city of Dallas.
“We have a lot of visitors, so I want to take this chance to welcome you on behalf of the entire North Texas region,” she added. When not overseeing preparations for one of the globe’s largest sporting events, Paul also serves as the executive director of the Dallas Sports Commission. Other cities in the region, including Fort Worth, Arlington, and Frisco, have their own sports commissions. Despite their competition for various sports events, the scale of the World Cup necessitated a unified approach.
Dan Hunt, a Dallas native whose company manages soccer teams based in Frisco and Mansfield, emphasized how the diverse market played a crucial role in securing a tournament-high nine matches. “One of my main pitches to FIFA was that we offer one of the most unique bids among all the host cities. We have the economic powerhouse of Dallas alongside the cultural authenticity of Fort Worth and the Stockyards, not to mention our renowned museums like the Kimbell and the Modern,” he stated. “No other city could accommodate nine games and host multiple visiting national teams, such as Czechia and Sweden, while also providing an International Broadcast Center at the Dallas Convention Center.”
Vaca expressed hopes that the visiting media would recognize the rich array of options available in the region for their coverage beyond the games themselves. “Our commitment is to create the right environment for your success, providing the space, tools, and collaboration necessary for you to excel in sharing the World Cup story,” she remarked. “As the world’s attention turns to North Texas, we’re eager to showcase our resources, diversity, culture, and community, highlighting why everyone is talking about our region.”
The speakers also aimed to ensure that a wide range of North Texans could immerse themselves in the World Cup atmosphere, extending beyond just the matches held in Arlington. Paul mentioned various planned activities, including a soccer tournament, a coaches symposium, a media party, a 5K run, and a large gathering at Fair Park featuring live match broadcasts, concerts, games, and food, all set to take place until July 19.
“We are dedicated to creating a traditional fan festival for the entire North Texas region and visitors, fully integrating World Cup and soccer elements,” Paul stated. Vaca highlighted that the Fair Park fan fest will be free, a rarity among host cities for the World Cup, crediting the involvement of supportive corporations. Hunt, who is also backing the initiative, expressed hope that the event would attract businesses considering relocation or investment in the region.
“I hope they see this as a fantastic opportunity to move their business here, to establish North American headquarters. We are witnessing this trend frequently,” he remarked. “This serves as a commercial for us to demonstrate that we are poised for growth and warmly welcoming.”
International sporting events often play a crucial role in fostering a sense of unity among people, and there is hope that the upcoming 2026 soccer tournament will cultivate this sentiment among teams and supporters. The enthusiasm seems already palpable in North Texas.
“This tournament signifies more than just a sporting event for us. It is a chance to highlight the strength of our region, the diversity of our people, and the collaborative spirit that makes North Texas one of the most vibrant places in the world,” Paul concluded.
