UPDATE: With just seven months until the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off, the City of Dallas is ramping up its safety and security preparations. The Dallas Public Safety Committee convened on Monday to unveil critical plans for managing the influx of visitors and extreme summer heat during this global event.
While the nine matches will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Dallas will serve as a bustling hub, hosting the International Broadcast Center at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and the FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park. An estimated 35,000 fans are expected daily at Fair Park from June 11 to July 19, 2026, making it imperative for officials to ensure public safety amid large crowds.
The urgency of the situation cannot be understated. Officials are particularly concerned about potential medical emergencies due to the extreme heat, noting that many attendees may not be accustomed to North Texas summers. Travis Houston, deputy director of emergency management, emphasized the need for comprehensive medical resources: “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.”
Safety measures are also under scrutiny. Jesse Moreno, chairman of the Dallas Public Safety Committee, voiced concerns regarding the lack of permanent barricades in entertainment districts, where crowd numbers are expected to soar. “We are looking at that. It is a concern how we protect people,” stated Mark Villarreal from the Dallas Police Department, assuring citizens that a robust safety plan will be established.
Setup for the International Broadcast Center is set to begin on January 14, 2026, and will remain exclusive to FIFA until August 24, 2026. As anticipation builds, the draw for the World Cup will take place on December 5, 2025, revealing which countries will compete in North Texas.
Dallas will also host training camps at SMU and various facilities, including the University of North Texas in Denton and TCU in Fort Worth. As the countdown to the World Cup continues, officials are working diligently to address potential gaps in safety protocols and ensure a safe environment for all attendees.
Stay tuned for further updates as Dallas prepares to welcome the world to this monumental sporting event.
