• Loading stock data...
Monday, July 7, 2025

World Cup Final Anticipation Shows U.S. Rise As a Soccer Market 

  • Unconfirmed report of Dallas getting the coveted tournament final goes viral.
  • Both New Jersey and Dallas continue to put their best foot forward to FIFA.
The Enquirer

How much has the U.S. become a soccer country? Enough for an unconfirmed rumor about the host venue for the 2026 World Cup Final to become a viral sensation in just a few hours. 

A report from The Sun—a tabloid in London—reporting AT&T Stadium in North Texas beat out MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for the final tournament match swept across the American media landscape and was almost immediately picked up by dozens of other news outlets. The problem: FIFA insists it has not finalized its choice, and the match schedule for the upcoming World Cup won’t be announced until Feb. 4.

“We continue to work with FIFA leadership to lay the groundwork as we prepare to host the largest FIFA World Cup to date and are eager, like the other host cities, to find out what matches will be assigned to us,” said Monica Paul, executive director of the Dallas Sports Commission.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a passionate advocate for the MetLife Stadium bid, also said this week he believes that the venue remains in the hunt for the coveted final, with no notification either way made from FIFA.

“I think our odds remain about where they’ve been. I would put it plus-or-minus 50/50,” Murphy told The Bergen Record

As the anticipation for FIFA’s decision mounts, both markets continue to do everything they can to tip the scales. Dallas is leaning into an unprecedented multi-venue, festival proposal that would incorporate the neighboring Texas Rangers ballparks, both past and present, in addition to AT&T Stadium. MetLife Stadium is removing seats in an effort to accommodate FIFA’s wider field requirements. 

The battle for the World Cup Final also involves many of the sports industry’s most prominent figures, including Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and FC Dallas president Dan Hunt. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Liverpool to Pay Diogo Jota’s $20M Contract to His Widow

Jota had two years remaining on his contract.

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
exclusive

PGA Tour Slashes FedEx Cup Winner Pay From $25M to $10M

The FedExCup is reworking how it distributes its bonus money.

As NBA Free Agency Quiets, Focus Shifts to Potential Extensions

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed a four-year, $285 million extension.

Featured Today

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
June 29, 2025

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Jul 2, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) heads to the dugout prior to the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium.

MLB Changes Are ‘Showing Great Results’: Former CFO

Big stars playing in major markets “make a real difference.”
July 2, 2025

NHL to Rejoin Olympic Ice in Milan—and NBC Set to Cash In

NHL players last competed in the Olympics in 2014.
Michael Johnson
July 3, 2025

Grand Slam Track Still Owes Athletes $13 Million: Source

The new track league hasn’t paid athletes in full yet.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Sophie Cunningham
July 2, 2025

WNBA Expansion Decisions Show League Prioritizes North, NBA Ties

One player ripped the league for its geographic choices.
Red Panda
July 2, 2025

Red Panda Hospitalized After WNBA Halftime Fall

The beloved performer was taken off the court in a wheelchair.
July 1, 2025

WNBA Roster Limits Under Fire After Vanloo’s Valkyries Release

Kaitlyn Chen remains on the Valkyries roster.
July 1, 2025

LIV Golf CEO Pushes Back On PGA Tour Merger

Scott O’Neil said there could be new opportunities for the Tour’s players.