Dallas, along with Washington D.C., Las Vegas, Chicago, and Atlanta, will not host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While cities like Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas are expected to receive significant economic benefits from the influx of international tourists, these five municipalities were excluded from the final host list for various structural and logistical reasons.
Economists note that the financial impact of the tournament will likely be measured on a city-by-city basis over the coming weeks.
Washington D.C. faces a shortage of suitable venues. Although Audi Field, home to D.C. United, is located in the Navy Yard, its maximum capacity of 20,000 seats is insufficient for the tournament.
Northwest Stadium, the current home of the NFL’s Washington Commanders in Maryland, presents significant logistical hurdles regarding public transportation and lodging. A new stadium for the Commanders is planned for the site of the former RFK Stadium, offering hope for future tournaments.
Las Vegas, despite its growing sports tourism market and the presence of major professional franchises, lacks a venue that meets FIFA’s strict pitch and runoff regulations. Allegiant Stadium, home to the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, features a retractable grass field tray that is too narrow for international play. Local fans will need to travel to Los Angeles or San Francisco to attend games in person.
Chicago’s exclusion resulted from its own decision to withdraw from the bidding process. Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel stated that the city rejected FIFA’s proposal because it would have allowed the federation to reap excessive financial benefits. Chicago previously hosted matches during the 1994 World Cup and saw large watch parties during the 2002 tournament in Qatar.