The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off today! Get ready to catch all the action on the pitch with this newsletter full of World Cup events. From some of the best watch parties in the Metroplex to info on all the big games happening right here in DFW, we’ll make sure you don’t miss a single goal!

Plus, don’t miss your chance to win one of our incredible World Cup giveaways! There’s still just a little time left to enter an amazing giveaway to see the United States’ first matchup against Paraguay tomorrow in Cosm’s immersive shared reality or at Legacy Hall’s epic Summer of Soccer Watch Party!

PLAY BALL

• World Cup games may not start in the Metroplex until Sunday, but you can still become part of the global celebration right now! The FIFA Fan Festival opens at Fair Park today with interactive fan zones, viewing areas and performances by artists like Turnpike Troubadours and Major Lazor on deck for later this month.

• Catch all the biggest Latin American World Cup group stage matchups at Texas Live! for La Fiesta del Futbol, featuring live DJs, official team jersey giveaways and incredible music performances after the final whistle! *

• Swing by District 121 on Saturday for their McKinney World Cup Fan Zone and enjoy soccer-themed games, children’s activities, photo activations and more.

• The World Cup officially begins in DFW with Group F action as Virgil van Dijk leads 8th-ranked Netherlands into battle against a deep Japanese lineup!

• Group play continues in Arlington on Wednesday when Harry Kane and 4th-ranked England face 2022 World Cup semifinalists Croatia!

THE ULTIMATE WORLD CUP GUIDE

This is it! Everything you need to know about the World Cup in DFW is right here! We break down the tournament itself, each match at AT&T stadium and so much more. Whether you’re looking to buy jerseys, catch a World Cup watch party or simply get a better understanding of what all the excitement is about, you can find it all in this comprehensive guide!

THIS WEEK

LOCALS ONLY

• Dallas Sports Highlight of the Week: In a unanimous vote, the Plano City Council voted 8-0 to approve the Dallas Stars nonbinding letter of intent to move to the city and build a new multipurpose development, according to NBC 5. The plan would utilize around $700 million in public funds, with overall costs estimated around $3 billion. Find out more about the proposed plan here.

• College Sports Report: Mustang fans will have a new platform for engaging with SMU athletics. Mustang Partners and College Sports Co. announced a new “athlete-driven media platform” in a recent release this week. According to the release, “Mustang Studios is designed to bring the personality, perspective and day-to-day experiences of SMU student-athletes directly to fans.” Learn more about the new platform here.

• The Sports Story You Need to See: With the first World Cup matchup, Mexico versus South Africa, starting in just a couple hours, check out tournament predictions from 19 ESPN experts from around the globe! From underdog selections to U.S. Men’s National Team predictions, you’re going to want to see how these ESPN experts view the tournament. See the predictions here!

• What We’re Watching: Both the NHL and NBA are bringing the fireworks in their respective finals! The edge-of-your-seat action across the Stanley Cup so far already has The Athletic questioning whether this is the “Best Stanley Cup Final ever.” Make sure you don’t miss Game 5 tonight at 7:00 p.m. by finding out how to catch the game here. The Spurs and Knicks are also bringing the heat as we root for San Antonio to come out on top of this intense series. Wemby and the Spurs will be heading back home for Game 5 this Saturday.

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