FORT WORTH — As soon as he learned Lionel Messi’s Argentina had been placed in Group J of the 2026 World Cup, Esteban Arce erupted in joy and leaped nearly to the ceiling.
“Watching Messi and the reigning world champions play in a World Cup is a dream. It’s truly incredible,” said Arce, one of 100s of fans who gathered Friday at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth for the official World Cup Draw watch party.
While the exact match schedule for AT&T Stadium will be announced Saturday, the prospect of Argentina playing at the Cowboys home is very real.
Related
Sports Roundup
AT&T Stadium will host more World Cup games than any other venue, nine, including a semifinal. Five of those will be in the group stage: two from Group F, two from Group J and one from Group L.
Arce secured tickets during the presale phase, including seats for Group J matches.
“Brother, this is amazing,” said Arce, a Colombian national wearing a Boca Juniors jersey, one of Argentina’s most popular clubs.
Howdy, FIFA! See photos from Fort Worth’s 2026 World Cup draw watch party
View Gallery
Messi, regarded as one of the greatest players in history, led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar. His potential appearance in Arlington, alongside the reigning champions, is expected to send ticket prices soaring.
“These will surely be among the most coveted and expensive tickets of the entire World Cup,” said Andy Swift, secretary of the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee.
Swift noted that FIFA has adopted a dynamic pricing model, meaning matches featuring elite teams and star players will carry premium costs.
“You can expect a ticket to see Messi and Argentina in the group stage to cost more than a Super Bowl ticket,” Swift said.
Related
Messi currently plays for Inter Miami, and his 2023 arrival in the MLS was another watershed moment for a league that was built on the success of the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
In fact, Messi’s first competitive road match with Miami was at FC Dallas, and his arrival similarly drove up ticket prices and interest. Miami plays in Saturday’s MLS Cup final against Vancouver.
If Argentina does play at AT&T Stadium, the team is likely to select one of FIFA’s six approved base camps in North Texas. Among them is Toyota Stadium, home of FC Dallas.
Related
“I would love that to happen,” said Jimmy Smith, treasurer of the board of directors of the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee.
“There’s no bigger name in soccer. For Messi, who already plays in MLS, Toyota Stadium could be his home for a month and a half,” added Smith, who also serves as FC Dallas COO & CFO.
The next phase for ticketing opens Dec. 11, and fans can enter a lottery for the chance to buy a ticket. The cost of World Cup tickets on second-hand ticket markets are in the hundreds and thousands of dollars already.
Base camps will be chosen by the 48 national teams competing in next summer’s tournament, with higher-ranked teams selecting first. Argentina currently sits second in FIFA’s rankings, behind Spain.
The arrival of powerhouse teams in North Texas is expected to bring an influx of visitors to the region.
Arce, who also holds tickets for matches in other U.S. cities, noted that Dallas stands out as one of the most affordable destinations in terms of hotels, Airbnb rentals and airfare.
“Miami, New York, Los Angeles, their prices are crazy high,” Arce said. “Dallas is by far the most affordable.”
Friday’s World Cup draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington confirmed that AT&T Stadium could host several global heavyweights.
Group F features the Netherlands (seventh in FIFA ranking), while Group L includes England (fourth) and Croatia (10th).
Related
The U.S. men’s national team could also play in AT&T Stadium in the round of 32 if it finishes second in its group, which includes Paraguay, Australia and the European playoff winner among Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkey and Romania.
“I think it’s an accessible group for the United States,” Swift said.
“Australia is a relatively strong team, but one the U.S. can beat, and I don’t believe the European team that comes out of the playoff will be much of a threat. The group is manageable for the U.S. team.”
Dan Hunt, president of FC Dallas and co-chair of the North Texas World Cup Organizing Committee, expressed his excitement about the prospect of powerhouse teams like Argentina, England and the Netherlands potentially playing matches at AT&T Stadium.
“It’s a great draw for Dallas,” said Hunt, speaking by phone from Washington.
“To have the chance to welcome all these teams to AT&T Stadium is incredible. Fans will get to watch some of the greatest players in the world right here in the group stage,” Hunt said.
Find more World Cup coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
