Arlington has secured a significant role in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, with AT&T Stadium set to host more matches than any other city in North America. FIFA, the international governing body for soccer, awarded the stadium a semifinal along with eight additional World Cup matches.
To accommodate the massive influx of fans expected to descend on Arlington for the matches and related events, the North Central Texas Council of Governments has been diligently developing a transportation plan. This plan includes a public transit component that will utilize a combination of passenger rail and buses to efficiently move people around the area. The effectiveness of this transportation plan will undergo testing during the 2024 MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in July.
Other cities across North America are also gearing up for their roles in the 2026 World Cup. Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York/New Jersey will each host eight matches, with the final set to take place at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This World Cup is poised to be the largest to date, featuring 48 teams in 104 matches across 16 host cities. FIFA has selected 11 cities in the United States, two in Canada, and three in Mexico to host the prestigious event.
