Vol. 8 [Texas News] Houston Set to Co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Houston, Texas is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup from June 11th, 2026 (FIFA).

The World Cup venue — NRG Stadium:

• NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans, will serve as the World Cup venue in 2026; it has a retractable roof and seats 72,220, opening in 2002. (The Athletic)
• Beyond NFL games, it hosts the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo each spring — the world's largest such event, drawing over two million visitors across three weeks — as well as major concerts and soccer matches. (The Athletic)
• The stadium hosted Super Bowl LI in 2017, remembered for Tom Brady leading the New England Patriots back from a 28–3 third-quarter deficit to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34–28 in overtime. (The Athletic)
• Located southwest of downtown, the venue is accessible by the city's light rail line, which runs directly to the stadium. (The Athletic)

What the World Cup means for Houston:

• Former U.S. Men's National Team player DaMarcus Beasley, who appeared in four World Cups and spent six seasons with the Dynamo, described Houston as having everything a football city could want — diverse ethnicities, food, and deeply embedded soccer culture across its many communities. (The Athletic)
• The city's track record as a major event host, combined with its multicultural fan base and passion for the sport, positions it as a natural fit for the world's largest soccer tournament. (The Athletic)

(Source: FIFA; The New York Times The Athletic)