FRISCO, Texas — A day after a bittersweet announcement that Arlington's AT&T Stadium would in fact not be hosting the 2026 World Cup Final, the leaders of the Dallas coalition said they feel they did all they could to bring the final to North Texas.
"There was nothing else we could have done," FC Dallas President Dan Hunt said. "I spent that time, talking to them about it. We checked every box."
Hunt said that FIFA's decision didn't come down to any hard factors surrounding AT&T Stadium or their candidacy to host the final, but rather intangible things like the global reputation of New York City.
But that doesn't change the fact that this stings.
"I'm very proud, at the end of the day," Dallas Sports Commission Executive director Monica Paul said. "I get emotional. A lot of time has been put into this. If it didn't hurt a little bit, it would mean that we didn't do the best we possibly could."
With that emotion still raw, Paul, Hunt and their team still have work to do. Because they are not done lobbying FIFA.
"The nine matches - having that here - helps us in our bid for the International Broadcast Center," Hunt said. "[It] helps us with the Referee Headquarters that we hopefully will have here at Toyota Stadium, and Soccer Center. And it helps with the base camps."
AT&T Stadium did not get the final. But going after the final, with a full-throttle pitch, was the pathway to get a semifinal, nine matches, and any of the other World Cup staples that will be here in North Texas.
"It's a big win," Paul said. "To say that, one, You're hosting a World Cup, is an honor. But now, to say that you're hosting a semifinal and nine matches, and base camps, possible referee, possible broadcast center... We have a lot to be proud of."
"Dallas is no longer a big city in the United States," Hunt said. "Dallas is a big city, globally speaking. And this just validates that."
There are 860 more days until they get to start showing it.