Dallas' AT&T Stadium was designed to host international events even before FIFA awarded World Cup matches to Arlington. According to lead architect Brian Trubey, that foresight is what makes the venue so well-positioned to host the tournament.

During an appearance on CBS Texas, Trubey explained that the stadium's size gives it an advantage over many NFL venues.

"AT&T Stadium, as well as SoFi, one of our other projects, are about three million square feet," Trubey said. "Most NFL stadiums are about 1.8 to 2 million square feet. That's one of our most significant advantages because the back-of-house areas are what make these buildings so perfect for these major global events."

The aim was a lesser-known aspect of hosting a World Cup match. While fans generally focus on the field and seating bowl, FIFA requires extensive operational space for teams, media, security personnel, and tournament staff.

The stadium's larger footprint will allow operations to function more efficiently during international matches. But another key factor of the stadium is its exterior layout.

"The plaza areas, the entertainment zones outside, are unprecedented in size," Trubey said. "That's exactly what makes getting in and out of the stadium possible for these kinds of major events."

AT&T Stadium is set to be one of the centerpiece venues of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Arlington venue will host nine matches during the tournament, including five group-stage games, two Rounds of 32 matches, a Round of 16 fixture, and one semifinal.

AT&T Stadium was opened in 2009 and serves as the home of the Dallas Cowboys. The stadium has already hosted major sporting events, including the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff games, and international soccer matches. 

The stadium is already known as one of the largest venues in the NFL. But several more changes are required before AT&T can host the FIFA games.

Stadium Set for Major World Cup Transformation

The stadium's artificial playing surface is one of the more unique things about it. However, FIFA mandates natural grass for World Cup matches, meaning AT&T Stadium's artificial turf will be temporarily replaced.

According to organizers, a special grass-growing system will be built inside the stadium to meet FIFA's requirements. 

"The field is raised several feet, which actually enhances the sight lines for all the fans in the entire stadium," Trubey explained while discussing the installation process.

For Trubey, seeing both AT&T Stadium and SoFi Stadium selected as World Cup venues is a source of pride.

"The World Cup is the true global sport," he said. "Both venues playing the significant role they're playing, of course, is a source of pride for all of us that were able to be involved in both stadiums."

As they are set to host the FIFA games, the preparations continue both inside and outside the stadium. For Trubey, the upcoming World Cup is a huge achievement for the Dallas fans.

You can read more at the Dallas Cowboys Community!

Written by

Evince Das

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit