Grow lights are seen illuminating part of the field at AT&T Stadium during a preview of the grass installed at the stadium ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
(Photo by Julio Cortez/Associated Press)
When the Super Bowl came to Dallas, the LGBTQ+ community responded by throwing the biggest street party in town that week. Despite the snow, people came out by the thousands to the Cedar Springs event.
Now FIFA is coming to town, and I’m looking for something positive to report from the LGBTQ+ community. But I’m finding nothing.
Dallas will be the broadcast center, and more games will be played here than in any other North American city. But the Cedar Springs merchants and bars won’t be throwing a block party, and I can’t find much scheduled in the other hosting cities either.
There is a Pride game scheduled. That should be good news.
But is it really?
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FIFA in Dallas
FIFA World Cup matches in Dallas will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington from June 11 through July 19. Dallas is hosting nine games — more than any other city — culminating in the first semi-final on July 14.
Group Stage: Dynamic matchups will feature teams like Japan, Sweden, Argentina, England, and Croatia.
Knockout Rounds: The Round of 32 begins locally on July 3, with a Round of 16 match also scheduled.
FIFA Fan Festival: Hosted at Dallas Fair Park, this 34-day event runs concurrently with the tournament, offering free public access to live match screenings, music and food.
For the complete match schedule and ticket details, check the official FIFA World Cup 2026 Dallas Match Schedule at FIFA.com.
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Seattle designated its June 26 match (because June 28 is the anniversary of Stonewall) as the Pride match. Iran will face Egypt. Oops. Neither team wants to be associated with it.
Note: In Egypt, the penalty for homosexuality is up to three years in prison. Iran offers the death penalty.
Iran wants Pride flags banned from the stadium. Normally, President Trump would want Pride flags banned as well, but since we’re at war with Iran, who knows where the administration comes down on this one.
But Iran is demanding a number of other things, as well. Iranian officials wanted their games moved to Mexico, and they are insisting on additional security for their team. The U.S., I’m assuming, isn’t in the mood to provide any special consideration to the country while we’re at war. In fact, it’s unclear if the U.S. will even issue visas for the team.
So, what about the gay soccer — I’m sorry — football players?
So far, with all players on each of the national teams named, exactly none are out.
As I once said to a Disney publicist who wanted me to do a story on Disney on Ice, “I’d like to interview one of your out skaters.” He hesitated and said he didn’t know if any of his performers were gay.
“I’ve seen the publicity photos,” I told him. “I didn’t ask you if they were gay. I asked if they were out.”
Which brings me to the story of Australian footballer — I’m sorry, I can’t do this — soccer player Josh Cavallo.
Cavallo came out in 2021 after having played on the Australian national under-20 team. In 2021, he was signed to the team Adelaide United. In January of this year, he left the team, after not playing in any games last year, saying homophobia was the reason he left.
On Instagram, he said, teammates mocked him and passed around pictures of him with his fiancé.
He wasn’t the first soccer player to come out. In 1990 Justin Fashanu announced he was gay. He played a few years but that was the end of his career.
Then in 2022, British player Jake Daniels came out. He’s currently a free agent — better known as “No one wants to hire the gay guy.”
So, there’s no soccer player to interview and spotlight for the FIFA tournament.
Hotel bookings around Dallas are down, and blocks of rooms have been released.
Ticket sales are down from expected frenzy levels, and charges of fraud in seat assignments are flying.