As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, North Texas is gearing up to be a major player on the global soccer stage — and FC Dallas is positioning itself at the heart of the action.
With the tournament set to be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, FC Dallas Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Smith believes Frisco will play a pivotal role in welcoming the world to the Lone Star State.
Toyota Stadium Will Be A Base Camp Host
While AT&T Stadium in Arlington will host nine official matches — the most of any venue in the tournament — Toyota Stadium will serve as one of FIFA's designated base camps. That means a top-ranked international team will call Frisco home during the tournament, training at the stadium in the weeks leading up to their matches and returning between games.
"Our hope is that we will get a top-10 team in the World Cup," Smith tells Local Profile. "The way it works is FIFA puts out a brochure to all the federations, and we've been included in there. We're one of a handful of venues, and we believe we've got the best amenities with locker rooms, facilities, press spaces — and we're very proud of our pitch. I think we've got one of the best soccer fields in the country."
A New, Better Stadium
Toyota Stadium is getting a $180 million makeover — the largest in its history — with construction set to kick off in March 2025. The multi-phase project, announced in September 2024 by FC Dallas and Cawley Partners, will upgrade seating, suites, concessions and fan amenities at Major League Soccer's third-oldest soccer-specific stadium. The renovation will boost overall seating capacity by more than 10%, nearly triple club seating and add two new suite levels with premium food and entertainment.
The National Soccer Hall of Fame, located within Toyota Stadium, adds another unique draw for fans looking to fill their time between matches. “The National Soccer Hall of Fame provides another unique opportunity for Frisco," Smith says. "Visitors will be here for much longer than a typical event or vacation — weeks, not days. I think we'll have a large number of visitors come to us."
$68 Million Downtown Renovations
While Toyota Stadium's capacity of just over 20,000 makes it too small to host official World Cup matches, Smith believes the surrounding Frisco area is primed to become a vibrant fan destination — especially with a newly renovated downtown. With 104 matches scheduled across North America, many of the estimated 5 million ticket holders will be seeking places to watch games they aren't attending in person. Frisco’s downtown Rail District will be just that.
On June 7, 2024, the city broke ground on a $68 million redevelopment of the Rail District, set to transform downtown into a vibrant hub for residents and visitors. The revitalization includes new features focused on pedestrians such as outdoor seating areas, fire pits, a performance stage, enhanced medians, additional crosswalks and parking garages.
"Although Dallas will host the most matches with nine, it's the other 95 matches that create a huge opportunity," Smith says. "Most of the people coming to the World Cup will be from out of town or out of the country, and they'll want to watch those other matches somewhere. Frisco, with everything going on — the Rail District, Rollertown Beerworks opening up next to us — could be a very, very good hub for fans to enjoy the World Cup matches."
A Central Location For Visitors
Smith likens the scale of each match to the Super Bowl, predicting a tremendous economic impact from visitors staying in hotels, dining at local restaurants and exploring what Frisco has to offer.
While soccer, obviously, will attract visitors to North Texas, Frisco offers plenty of other ways for tourists to make the most of their trip. Take PGA Frisco, for example — home to one of the most renowned golf headquarters. Visitors can not only play a round on its world-class courses but also enjoy a luxurious stay at the adjacent Omni hotel. And this is just one example.
"When the World Cup was in Russia, Moscow was the clear headquarters,” Smith says. “In Brazil, it was Rio. But with this World Cup being in three countries, there's not one central city. I believe Dallas — given its geography — will be that hub. We're excited to play our part, and we believe Frisco will shine as a soccer destination."
As the countdown to 2026 continues, FC Dallas is ready to make Frisco the beating heart of soccer fever in North Texas — and welcome the world to their home turf.
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