2026 FIFA Globe Mug: 1-on-1 with Dallas-Fort Well worth’s quote leader, Monica Paul

DALLAS– The initial suit of the 2026 FIFA Globe Mug in North Texas will certainly be used Sunday, June 14, 2026.

We do not yet understand that will certainly be playing, as the certifying procedure is still underway. Some groups have actually currently secured certification (we have a running listing below), however the teams, and subsequently where they’ll be arranged to play, will not be settled till December.

Whoever begins from Jerry Globe on that particular Sunday in the summer season of 2026, it’ll note the end result of almost a years of job from individuals behind the scenes.

Individuals like Monica Paul, the head of state of the North Texas FWC Organizing Board, and her group of plenty of people operating in 18-20 various job teams resolving safety and security and safety, transport, sustainability, civils rights, heritage, ticketing and extra.

WFAA took a seat with Paul for an unique individually meeting to obtain some understanding right into what it required to bring the largest showing off occasion worldwide to North Texas.

Watch the complete meeting below:

In real Texas style, servicing a Globe Mug quote had not been Paul’s initial rodeo. Neither the 2nd. This 2026 Globe Mug quote was really her 3rd.

Paul claimed she got the quote papers for the 2018 and 2022 Globe Mugs back in June 2009. Eventually, FIFA granted the Globe Cups in 2018 and 2022 to Russia and Qatar, specifically.

The quote procedure for the 2026 Globe Mug goes back to July 2017.

” We had a little dry run there, weren’t effective, however this quote procedure mores than 8 years of ages since we have actually been servicing the roadway to 2026,” Paul claimed.

Right here’s a recall at our coverage in 2018:

Paul claimed several of the significant distinctions and lessons gained from the stopped working efforts when beginning the 2026 quote procedure were, initially, the joint quote of the united state, Mexico and Canada versus merely defending your very own nation to obtain the quote, and afterwards having a recognized network and get in touches with of that to collaborate with.

” You’re so hectic gathering the really brief quantity of info that was requested the quote procedure that you sort of possibly in some cases neglect to place the complete photo with each other, your complete quote with each other, to ensure that you’re planned for ‘hi there, when your nation is chosen,’ currently truly be around to represent your city,” Paul claimed. “And I believe we did a superb work of bringing those individuals with each other previously, all the stakeholders, in 2017 and 2018.”

The most stressful component of the whole procedure, according to Paul, came almost one year after the quote procedure began.

June 16, 2022, was one of the most worried Paul had actually been throughout the procedure.

Will Dallas be among the host cities? As one of the most effective sporting activities company cities in America, this component appeared virtually specific. However there is no assurance till you hear your name called. They would certainly discover this lesson by hand a little additional in the future.

” That day of not recognizing whether you were gon na see your city’s name up there, like you claimed, in some cases when in a generation possibility, recognizing exactly how ecstatic individuals were from 1994 and still speak about it,” Paul claimed. “To potentially have your city’s name not get on that listing was virtually inconceivable for me.”

The exhilaration in 2022 was no various than twenty years back. Followers collected in Midtown Dallas to see the news, putting on red, white and blue.

Paul’s next “vital pen” can be found in February 2024, when the suit timetable was introduced.

In the year-and-a-half in between, Paul et cetera of the group functioned to make DFW one of the most eye-catching alternative for the competition’s marquee attributes: the desirable Globe Mug Final, the Opening Suit, the International Program Facility (IBC) and even more.

For several years, AT&T Arena was reported to be the possible Globe Mug Final. It virtually felt like Jerry Globe was a lock. Till it had not been.

The stunning disclose brought “some frustration,” Paul confessed.

” 9 suits– greater than any type of various other host city– was humbling,” Paul claimed. “At the exact same time, will I claim there might have been some frustration that we really did not hold the finals? Definitely. However I believe what you pick up from that is this whole quote board is constantly mosting likely to strive the top.”

The suit matter and safeguarding the IBC still brought a feeling of satisfaction.

Previously this year, we talked to Dan Quest, a co-chair of the North Texas FWC Organizing Board and FC Dallas Head Of State, throughout which he discussed exactly how happy his papa, Lamar Quest, was of obtaining the IBC for the 1994 Globe Mug, which was based in Fair Park.

Dan Quest claimed he really did not comprehend the importance at the time, and currently, as he complies with in his papa’s steps, the “center” of the Globe Mug will certainly once more remain in DFW.

The 2026 FIFA Globe Mug IBC will certainly be housed in the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Facility in Midtown Dallas. All informed, the Dallas Sports Payment approximates the location will certainly see $1.5 billion to $2.1 billion in straight financial influence.

The 2031 FIFA Female’s Globe Mug will certainly be co-hosted by the USA and Mexico.

The joint quote in between the USA, Mexico and Concacaf companions was the single quote for 2031. So, while the main consultation will not take place till the FIFA Congress in Q1 of 2026, it’ll be the 3rd time the united state has actually organized the Female’s Globe Mug (1999, 2003).

The 1999 united state Female’s Group won the Globe Mug on their home dirt, triggering a generation of what Quest called “perhaps the largest sporting activities empire in the world”: the united state Female’s National Group, which has actually won 4 Female’s Globe Cups to day (1991, 1999, 2015, 2019). They have actually been the No. 1-ranked group by FIFA in 53 of the last 60 globe positions, going back to March 2008. In 4 of those 60, they were placed No. 2. They’ve never ever been placed less than No. 5.

Though the guys’s Globe Mug is best around the bend, Paul’s duty while doing so web links their 2026 and 2031 proposals with each other.

” I believe rather than possibly just one year far from a Globe Mug, I’m attempting to consider it: ‘exactly how can we guarantee that this guys’s Globe Mug in ’26, we’re additionally beginning to construct in the direction of ’31?'” Paul claimed. “And we’re not considering them individually, always. We’re considering them with each other currently.”

The most significant element of prep work for Paul and her group at this moment is hiring volunteers and fundraising.

” There’s city solutions, follower celebration, amusement sort of preparing that’s forming, International Program Facility preparation, however you understand, at the end of the day, we additionally need to have the ability to foot the bill in holding a Globe Mug,” Paul claimed. “The host city advocate program, our benefactor program, the capacity for individuals to buy tickets to all 9 suits at AT&T Arena is truly sort of front and facility today. As we enter into this loss period, we will certainly be revealing a ‘Roadway to the Globe Mug,’ various other secondary occasions that hold city fans and benefactors will certainly have accessibility to and can truly belong of our future and the heritage that this Globe Mug can bring. And after that springboard off right into 2031. So it’s truly transforming mainly right into fundraising.”

The last draw for the FIFA Globe Mug is readied to occur in December, with groups appointed to particular suit timetable components, consisting of locations and kick-off times, quickly after that.

Paul informed WFAA they have a checklist of groups they’re looking at to generate for the various base camps and training websites throughout the Metroplex.

” We have the listing of the ones that have, you understand, excellent background in Globe Cups and those that have actually won in the past, have several of the leading celebrities or promising celebrities or, you understand, from my viewpoint, I desire the ones that are additionally gon na have excellent viewer traveling,” Paul claimed. “I believe there’s some one-of-a-kind possibilities also, considering that this is the biggest Globe Mug to day, with the development from 32 groups to 48 groups. There are currently specific groups that have actually never ever been to a Globe Mug prior to. I believe that’s a rather unique minute by itself. So, I’m attempting to consider it holistically.”

Where groups are slotted in teams and what prospective matches that can take place at DFW’s knockout phase video games will certainly contribute in their preparation, also, Paul claimed.

Functioning as a volunteer, according to Paul, involves functioning 9 changes throughout the 39 days. Volunteers will certainly obtain a complete FIFA attire (Adidas hats, coats, and polos), in addition to a couple of presents along the road as gratitude for functioning the occasion. Some functions are straight with FIFA, while others can be with the arranging board. Volunteer work vary from operating at the arena, at a follower celebration, in the volunteer facility, in the town hall, at the flight terminal, and so on

Another element the DFW market flaunts that nothing else city can is the background of the video game in this nation on complete display screen. South of FC Dallas’ Toyota Arena exists the National Football Hall of Popularity, with all the antiques and souvenirs standing for football in the USA going back years.

” I believe it would certainly be a big miss out on if we aren’t proactively advertising individuals to rise to Frisco and see the National Football Hall of Popularity,” Paul claimed. “What they have there, the background of football below within this nation, both on the guys’s side and ladies’s side. There is some souvenirs there from the 1994 Globe Mug that was organized below. I believe from a broadcaster perspective, from a media perspective, [or] simply your total basic viewer, I believe it would certainly be a genuine miss out on. And you can certainly invest half a day over there considering whatever that they have.”

Paul claimed Toyota Arena will certainly probably be a base camp, and she expects that a solid, higher-profile group will certainly lie there.

The FIFA Follower Celebration will certainly be held at Fair Park for 39 days, totally free and open up to the general public.

Every Globe Mug suit will certainly be relayed at the Follower Celebration, and there will certainly be a food and heart show collection, also, Paul claimed. There will certainly be some VIP aspects that’ll be costs. Paul claimed the objective is to offer the celebration a Dallas really feel.

Home to the State Fair of Texas, Paul claimed they have actually taken some trainings from those people on preparation and performing this occasion, which will certainly be a little under dual the size– the State Fair of Texas is 24 days.

” We’ll have our volunteer facility out at Fair Park too, which’s functional from November of 2025 right with July of 2026,” Paul claimed.

Also still, the foot website traffic will not be as thick as we’re made use of to seeing throughout the State Fair of Texas, according to Paul.

” Every host city, in a particular ability, need to have a FIFA follower celebration,” Paul claimed. “We’re gon na go sort of with a conventional FIFA follower celebration version, looking today in between 35,000 and 40,000 individuals at once. So, it’s not the complete State Fair of Texas.”

For context, the State Fair of Texas balanced 99,410 participants in 2024, coming to a head out at 212,003 on Red River Competition day– Oct. 12, 2024.

It’s a much smaller sized impact, however Paul claimed the celebration is totally free due to the fact that the truth is numerous followers will not have the ability to obtain a ticket to participate in the suit itself. Paul claimed she really hopes individuals pertain to Dallas and they protrude as one of the most effective areas to check out.

We all understand what it indicates to be Texan and what Texas is everything about.

But exactly how will the remainder of the globe see DFW? The advertising and marketing arm of the North Texas FWC Organizing Board was charged with functioning together with FIFA’s advertising and marketing group to ideal depict the ambiance of DFW.

Part of this procedure came with 2 art pieces: the “Sonic ID” and the city poster. Both have actually been launched this year. Paul’s group dealt with Grammy-winning Dallas musician Tre Nagella and musician Matt High cliff.

” It was essential for us to reveal some unity from a local perspective, recognizing that each of the cities is a bit various and possibly have a various emphasis or a various panache, and recognizing that we’re gon na rate the globe and a great deal of worldwide site visitors below wishing to attempt to establish ourselves apart there,” Paul claimed.

Paul claimed, when discussing the logo design, FIFA did a comprehensive research study with all host cities on what several of the adjectives and points that we were recognized for below: a great deal of continuous spirit, power, profits and business, radical, “can do” spirit, which is where a great deal of the eco-friendly entered play.

FIFA is 100% in charge of exactly how the IBC is established. Fox and Telemundo are the media civil liberties program owners in the united state for the 2026 Globe Mug, and each of the international countries will certainly have its very own. BBC will certainly transmit to the U.K., M6 to France, and more etc. A listing of the media civil liberties owners can be discovered below.

All of these networks will likely have actually relayed cubicles established inside the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Facility. Paul claimed FIFA will certainly begin relocating and establishing on Jan. 14, 2026.

Numerous will certainly additionally establish program substances in various other vital locations of the Metroplex.

The IBC will certainly begin running 24/7 towards completion of May 2026, Paul claimed.

” You’ll see that procedure for those broadcasters, you understand, we’re considering time areas for individuals from all throughout the globe, which feed will certainly come straight out of the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Facility below in Dallas right to their particular nations,” Paul claimed.

Paul claimed the majority of the broadcasters aren’t anticipated to begin showing up in Dallas till completion of May 2026, however some “might flow in” throughout April.

The visual appeal of the city and designs bordering the Globe Mug will certainly start to rise around March and April, according to Paul.

Paul claimed FIFA is creating an application for ticketholders and going to followers to make use of as a “one-stop store.”

She claimed every one of this info concerning “can not miss out on” positions to go and points to do in DFW will certainly originate from their workplace.

” We’re waiting on some extra info on the breadth and extent of what is done in that application, however we’re enthusiastic that possibly most of the ticket owners and viewers are gon na most likely to numerous cities, so it makes good sense to have whatever for every city on one application,” Paul informed WFAA. “We wan na learn about that assimilation, however ideally, the transport info of exactly how to go out to the arena or where the various DART public transportation quits or the timing of the FIFA Follower Festivals, various other secondary occasions or see events, dining establishment info, social task or events that might be prepared for off days … however we’re still waiting on a bit extra info from FIFA.”

Tickets are currently readily available online with deluxe friendliness plans. General ticket sales for FIFA Globe Mug suits will certainly be launched in stages because of high need. Followers require to register their rate of interest at FIFA.com/ tickets and produce a FIFA ID.

The means Paul clarifies it, the procedure is “like a lotto system.”

” When it’s your time, you’ll be alerted. It might not be for a particular suit,” Paul claimed. “You might not obtain tickets for your particular suit that was your front runner, however after that you have that possibility to do the pick-and-choose if you have an interest in the tickets that are offered there for you.”

The initial ticket draw for the 2026 Globe Mug will certainly open up on Wednesday, Sept. 10, FIFA just recently introduced. There will certainly be numerous distinctive ticket sales stages from the beginning of sales (Sept. 10) with to the last suit on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Each stage might vary in buying procedures, settlement techniques and ticket items, and complete information on each stage will certainly be launched in the coming months, according to FIFA.

Paul had the possibility to participate in the 2018 and 2022 Globe Mugs in Russia and Qatar. She claims it’s difficult the power bordering it.

” I have actually been to a great deal of significant occasions, however there is something truly unique concerning a Globe Mug. And to be able to share that and some individuals’s very first time of having the ability to see a Globe Mug, I believe it’s quite unique,” Paul wrapped up. “Tradition is constantly gon na be a vital item of what we’re attempting to construct below. Yes, we have genuine expenditures to, you understand, cover: safety and security, safety, transport, a great deal of various other points … however truly developing out the heritage, having the ability to strike specific, you understand, underserved locations with supplying devices to those locations, possibility for education and learning for instructors, and truly exactly how do we use this guys’s Globe Mug of 2026 to truly boost the the ladies’s video game and those possibilities throughout the board.”

Over a years of job to bring (ideally) an unquestionable influence to the future generation of the area in the future.