URGENT UPDATE: The City of Dallas is ramping up preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, just seven months away. On Monday, the Dallas Public Safety Committee unveiled critical security measures to ensure the safety of an expected 35,000 fans daily at the FIFA Fan Festival in Fair Park from June 11 to July 19.
While Arlington’s AT&T Stadium will host the nine matches, Dallas will serve as a vital hub for the event, featuring the International Broadcast Center at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. This center will accommodate 2,000 journalists from around the world, making Dallas an essential part of the global sporting event.
Officials are addressing significant safety concerns linked to extreme summer heat and large crowds. The deputy director of emergency management, Travis Houston, highlighted the need for adequate medical resources, stating, “We have to plan for the normal things; extreme summer heat, medical surge. We’ve had some of the biggest storms in my time here in June.”
The committee also discussed crowd control measures, particularly in the city’s entertainment districts. Jesse Moreno, chairman of the Dallas Public Safety Committee, expressed concern over pedestrian safety, stating, “One thing I haven’t seen and am a little troubled by is the lack of permanent ballads in our entertainment districts where we are going to have even higher numbers of crowds and pedestrians.” In response, Mark Villarreal from the Dallas Police Department assured, “I can guarantee you we will have a robust plan to protect pedestrian safety.”
Setup for the International Broadcast Center is set to begin on January 14, with exclusive use of the convention center for FIFA lasting until August 24. The draw for which countries will play in North Texas will take place on December 5, followed by announcements in the spring regarding which teams will train in the area.
Dallas will also host base camps at several locations, including FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco, the University of North Texas in Denton, Mansfield Multipurpose Stadium, and TCU in Fort Worth.
As the countdown to the World Cup continues, Dallas is committed to ensuring a safe, memorable experience for fans and participants alike. Stay tuned for further updates as preparations unfold leading up to this monumental event.
