The eight World Cup games played in Arlington over the past 30 days “have crescendoed to this momentous” occasion: Tuesday’s semifinal match between world No. 1-ranked France and No. 3 Spain at Dallas Stadium, according to Brad Townsend of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. The North Texas FIFA organizing committee, area municipalities and the Cowboys organization, among others, have “earned a prolonged bow, regardless of Tuesday’s match outcome.” No region will have hosted as many games, marquee teams or soccer superstars as North Texas. Seemingly by any criteria, on and off the pitch, the region has “risen to the moment” of hosting its first World Cup in 32 years. North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee President Monica Paul said, “It has exceeded even my expectations of what it could be for this region.” It is expected that FIFA will award the 2031 Women’s World Cup event “in November or December.” The U.S. is the “only reported bidder, and North Texas is among 14 regions that are part of the proposal.” North Texas fell short in landing this men’s World Cup final, but the past month has “shown the region is more than capable of landing the women’s title match.” Paul said that the “first goal in putting North Texas’ best foot forward in that bid was to show FIFA how strong this region could be in all aspects of operation -- games, the fan festival, transportation, a strong network of volunteers” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/13).
LOOKING LONG-TERM: In Fort Worth, Matthew Adams noted while the “short-term income has been welcome,” Arlington Mayor Jim Ross is “taking a long view of how the World Cup might benefit Arlington economically.” He said that he has “met with ambassadors, consul generals -- even royalty -- from nations that competed in Arlington.” He added that those dignitaries have “talked about how they might partner with Arlington in future business ventures” (FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 7/13).
ON THE FIELD: In L.A., Kevin Baxter noted if France beats Spain in the semifinals Tuesday, it will advance to the final for a third straight time. Only Brazil and Germany have done that. The base for that success was “laid a generation” before the team’s 2010 collapse in South Africa, when a series of poor performances led the French Football Federation to create a series of 16 government-subsidized academies known as Centres de Formation (L.A. TIMES, 7/13). The WALL STREET JOURNAL’s Robinson & Clegg write this has “been a World Cup defined by superstars.” But as the semifinals kick off, the tournament-- along with the “entirety of Spain -- is still waiting for” the Spain F Lamine Yamal game. He was “at the heart of an Adidas campaign” with actor Timothée Chalamet and “featured on a giant 400-foot billboard for Powerade that looms over the Atlanta Stadium.” Instead, his “all-conquering road trip has been stuck in neutral.” Yamal, who turned 19 on Monday, has just one goal in six games here and zero assists (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/13).
