The World Cup news is in …
Dallas — with its premier airports, hotels, restaurants, amenities, shopping, sports facilities, entertainment options, nightlife, and event venues — will play a leading role in the World Cup festivities.
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Huge news today: FIFA has selected Dallas to host a total of nine FIFA World Cup 2026 matches — more than any other city — including a Semi-Final showdown.
Today, I joined several Dallas sports legends — including Emmitt Smith, Dirk Nowitzki, and Marty Turco — and a few other Dallas-area mayors for the big announcement at AT&T Stadium, where the big matches will be played in 2026. Dallas — with its premier airports, hotels, restaurants, amenities, shopping, sports facilities, entertainment options, nightlife, and event venues — will play a leading role in the World Cup festivities.
Dallas is the perfect city to host these matches for the world’s biggest sporting event and is ready to showcase both its passion for football — “The Beautiful Game,” as Pelé called it — and its hospitality on the world stage.
Dallas is the best sports city in the United States. And, as you know, my Administration has worked tirelessly to make Dallas a truly international city. This included speaking engagements at the World Economic Forum and the Qatar Economic Forum, where I specifically showcased this city’s love of sports and its booming economy.
Now, thanks to the combined efforts of this Administration and Dallas civic leaders, this city is ready to welcome football fans from all over the world to Big D.
But that’s not the only major news in Dallas right now. Below are a few other quick updates that demonstrate this city’s continued positive momentum and growing stature in the world.
Bombardier
This week, Bombardier — a leading manufacturer of business aircraft with a global network of service centers based in Montreal, Canada — hosted me at their Service Center located at Dallas Love Field.
During the visit, Bombardier’s team shared details about their presence here, including a facility in Red Oak, Texas, where they build the wings of their aircraft before shipping them to Canada, where their planes are assembled.
Bombardier’s team also discussed their involvement with the Texas Workforce Commission through an apprenticeship program and how the company invests in the community by developing training partnerships with local organizations and community colleges.
Bombardier’s presence in Dallas and in this region has created jobs and training programs that produce a skilled workforce. Efforts such as these will be critical to securing this city’s future — and its residents’ economic well-being — in a changing world.
2024 Bond
On Wednesday, the Dallas City Council agreed to move forward with the following bond proposition allocations:
There is still a little bit more to discuss, but this is a major step toward finalizing a $1.25 billion bond package for Dallas voters’ consideration. Thank you again to members of the Dallas City Council for their work to get to this point in this process. There are many competing needs and priorities, and reaching consensus on matters such as these can be challenging. But now, Dallas is on track for a bond proposal that can address the greatest needs, benefit all of the people of Dallas, and make this city safer, stronger, and more vibrant.
The Dallas City Council will discuss specific project allocations this Wednesday, February 7, with a final vote scheduled for February 14.
Leadership
Dallas is proud of DFW Airport, which is now celebrating its 50th year of service. Since I took office in 2019, DFW has become the second-busiest airport in the world. This city’s tremendous growth over the years can also be attributed in part to DFW, which has served as an economic engine, supporting more than 634,000 jobs.
DFW’s success would not be possible without tremendous leadership. Airport CEO Sean Donohue has distinguished himself as an airport executive and thought leader and is respected around the globe. And I am thrilled to congratulate Demetris Sampson, a City of Dallas representative, on being elected chair of the DFW Airport Board. She is a leader who has the ability to innovate and ignite positive change, and her vision and leadership will undoubtedly guide DFW and the city to greater heights and bluer skies.
Connecting Dallas to the world
In other DFW Airport news, American Airlines is adding new direct flights between DFW Airport and Brisbane, Australia, in October, and Veracruz, Mexico, in June. In addition, American Airlines will add new flights to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and resume service to Kona, Hawaii next winter — connecting Dallas to more corners of the globe.
These new flights provide even more opportunities to show the world all of the great things that make Dallas a truly special place, such as this city’s amazing restaurants, extraordinary entertainment venues, and incredible hotels.
And the flights could also be important in 2026 when it’s time for the World Cup!
That’s all for today. Have a great weekend, be proud to live in a city the world yearns for, and get ready for some football — both American and association football!
