World Cup 2026: Homeless camps in Dallas ‘pushed out of downtown so the city won’t look bad’

England kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign in Dallas when they play Croatia at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium.

The stadium will host nine games throughout the tournament and STREETZine vendors will be around the Texan city throughout the tournament.

STREETZine is a monthly street paper published in Dallas since 2003. It also provides a platform for the voices of those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Here, three STREETZine contributors share their thoughts on the World Cup.

Jaime Krishnan

I am 62. As for soccer, I have always watched the games especially the World Cup. There is an excitement during the World Cup unlike any other sport in the world. It is going to be wonderful for the city of Dallas which is hosting many games – a first! 

A lot of visitors are expected and should be good for tourism. While I am not rooting for a specific team, it would be great if England – the country that invented the modern play style of soccer – would win this time. It has been a long time for England so I wish you all nothing but luck! 

Savita Vega

I’m a writer for STREETZine. Although I’m not a big football fan, this year I’m really looking forward to watching Japan’s Samurai Blue play. Although they’ve made it to the World Cup eight consecutive times and reached knockout round 16 on four different occasions, they’ve never advanced to the quarter-finals. This year they’ll be playing two of their first three matches in Dallas at the AT&T Stadium, now named Dallas Stadium for the World Cup. Even though I won’t see them in person, I will be rooting for them.  

To those in the UK, I’d like to wish you the best of luck. May The Three Lions or The Tartan Army prevail! 

Kenneth Henry

I am 63. I started writing for the street paper when I unfortunately became a part of the homeless population. A friend of mine at the shelter I was staying at recommended that I write about my experiences. Putting my experience down on paper was hard for me at first. Sharing my life with the readers of the paper during these difficult times was hard because I am a quiet person by nature, but I am getting better at opening up to people. Also, getting paid for the different pieces is a great incentive for me to keep writing.  

Unfortunately, I am not a soccer fan. Watching a ball get kicked up and down the field is not very exciting for me. I like baseball and American football the best. 

Economically, this is a great boost for the city, so I am excited for that. I hope our city uses the revenue to improve conditions throughout Dallas. 

Read more:

• How World Cup 2026 host cities are offering solutions to homelessness and the housing crisis
• ‘Football is a force for good’: Homeless World Cup gets backing from FIFA
• Street papers unite in solidarity and support of those fleeing Ukraine after invasion

When events like these come here, they tend to hide and push the homeless camps out of downtown so the city won’t look bad. Once the event is over, the city goes back to normal. I hope we make Dallas better than before the World Cup.  

Of course, I will still be rooting for Team USA in the World Cup, but I won’t be following it intensely. My response to football fans in the UK is to temper down and not to get too unruly when your team loses. Good luck! 

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

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