Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium World Cup name change sparks outrage among local residents

AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, will host nine FIFA World Cup matches this summer. The venue, however, will go by a different name throughout the tournament.

FIFA policies prevent stadiums from using non-sponsor corporate names. So, AT&T Stadium will go by Dallas Stadium during the World Cup. All AT&T logos at and on the stadium will be covered for the games, according to FOX 4 NEWS.

AT&T Stadium resides Arlington, which is roughly 20 miles west of downtown Dallas. But Dallas Stadium will serve as the official name, which isn’t going over well with local residents. Many voiced their displeasure on social media.

“Technically, it’s not even in Dallas County or Dallas. Talk about confusing for people. Should be called Arlington stadium for the week,” one resident wrote on X. “Taxpayers of Arlington paid their fair share and have to deal the nightmare. Just saying.”

‘Dallas Stadium’ will be busy during 2026 World Cup

For context, the city of Arlington funded $325 million of the $1.2 billion cost to construct the stadium, which opened in 2009. Arlington residents aren’t happy about their city not getting the acknowledgment on the global stage.

“The one chance to acknowledge the city that paid for it and they can’t bring themselves to do it,” another resident wrote on X.

Arlington Mayor Jim Ross previously addressed the bid being identified as Dallas instead of Arlington. He found zero issue with it.

“Dallas is the biggest city in North Texas. It makes logical sense to call it the Dallas World Cup. It doesn’t faze me, it doesn’t bother me, I don’t care,” Ross said. “The better Dallas’ reputation is, the better it affects Arlington.”

The 2026 World Cup will feature a record 48 teams. The 104-game tournament will take place in 16 host cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States. Dallas will play host to five group-stage games, two Round of 32 fixtures, one Round of 16 tie and the first semi-final.