FIFA World Cup 26 will bring opportunities for fan involvement
The countdown to the World Cup has begun, with the 2026 games ranking as the largest FIFA World Cup in history, featuring 48 national teams and 104 matches.
Preston Hollow’s Connor Westbrook said he’s loved soccer since he first dribbled a ball at age three. “I really, really hope we can go watch some of the games,” he said.
FIFA World Cup 26 is in its preparation stages, with Dallas positioned as one of the most significant host cities for the tournament. The city will host more matches than any other North American host city, including a semifinal match.
Also centered in Dallas will be the tournament’s operational hub, housing the International Broadcast Center and Tournament Operations Center at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas as well as various official FIFA events and community activations. Included in those events is Fan Festival at Fair Park.
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Preston Hollow
FIFA World Cup 26 is also giving fans a chance to be a part of excitement, launching a volunteer program to help bring to life a tournament uniting three countries and billions of people around the world.
“Volunteers are the heart, soul and smile of FIFA tournaments,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “They get to show off their local pride, gain a behind-the-scenes view of the tournament and make memories and friendships that can last a lifetime, while supporting a historic event. We hope interested individuals will join us as we welcome the world to North America in 2026.”
With an estimated 65,000 volunteers expected to participate, the volunteer community will be the largest volunteer program for a FIFA event to date. Volunteers will provide support across 23 functional areas at official and non-official sites, such as stadiums, training sites, airports, and hotels.
“I’m so proud to be part of this moment — not just for FIFA, but for my city,” said Craig Collins, who volunteered at the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA and the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Atlanta — and officially became the one millionth volunteer to join the FIFA Volunteer Community in April 2025. “I’m excited to apply for the 2026 volunteer program and hope to show off my community to the world once more.”
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