Japan vs Sweden – FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F Matchday 3
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas · Thursday 25 June 2026
The Stadium
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is one of the most recognisable sports buildings in the United States — a retractable-roof colossus that sits between Dallas and Fort Worth and dominates the flat Texan skyline. Opened in 2009 as the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, it was designed by HKS Architects and built around a philosophy of spectacle. The signature feature is a pair of enormous arched steel trusses spanning the full length of the roof, supporting a retractable centre panel that can be opened in cooler weather. Inside, a double-sided HD video board suspended above the pitch — among the largest in the world at the time of installation — remains a talking point for first-time visitors.
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the stadium is one of eleven host venues across the United States, Mexico and Canada. It sits within the Dallas–Fort Worth host city footprint, bringing top-tier international football to one of the most sports-obsessed metropolitan areas in America. Group F Matchday 3 on 25 June positions this fixture at the end of the preliminary group stage, where qualification scenarios and head-to-head records can shift dramatically over 90 minutes. Both Japan and Sweden will be playing for their tournament futures.
The stadium has hosted major events before, including the NFL Super Bowl XLV in February 2011. Its configuration for football (soccer) will see the temporary and permanent seating arranged to suit FIFA’s requirements, creating an atmosphere quite different from an American football Sunday. The roof, whether open or closed depending on June heat, will shape the acoustics considerably — closed, the building becomes a wall of sound.
Getting There
AT&T Stadium is located in Arlington, which sits roughly midway between downtown Dallas and downtown Fort Worth — approximately 20 miles from each. There is no direct light-rail or subway link to the stadium, which is a genuine logistical challenge for fans without a car.
From Dallas city centre: The most practical public transport option is the Trinity Railway Express (TRE), a commuter rail line connecting Dallas Union Station and Fort Worth. Alight at the CentrePort/DFW Airport station or the Centreport station depending on service, and take a shuttle or rideshare the final stretch. For World Cup matches, FIFA and local organisers are expected to provide enhanced shuttle services from TRE stations — check official tournament transport communications for confirmed routes closer to matchday.
From Fort Worth city centre: Similarly, the TRE connects Fort Worth’s Intermodal Transportation Center to the Arlington area. Journey time is around 20–25 minutes by rail before the onward shuttle.
From Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): The airport is served by the DART Orange Line, which connects to Union Station. From there, pick up the TRE. Total journey by public transport, including transfers, is likely to be 60–90 minutes depending on connections. A direct rideshare or taxi from DFW to the stadium takes roughly 20–30 minutes under normal traffic.
Driving and parking: The stadium has extensive surface parking lots. Arriving early is strongly advised for any World Cup fixture; lots fill quickly and traffic on I-30 and SR-360 can become severe. Pre-purchased parking passes via the official tournament site are the safer option.
Travelling From Each Home Country
For Japan supporters: The main gateway is Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, which receives direct long-haul flights from Tokyo’s Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) airports. Flight time from Tokyo to Dallas is approximately 13–14 hours non-stop. From DFW airport, Arlington is roughly 20 miles. Fans planning to attend multiple group-stage matches should factor in the distances between US host cities — domestic flights within the US are frequent but can be expensive when booked late. Japan’s football fanbase is well-travelled and experienced at international tournaments; the local Japanese-American community in Dallas–Fort Worth is also significant, so supporters should expect a friendly reception.
For Sweden supporters: The most common routing from Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) is via a transatlantic hub — typically London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol, Frankfurt, or New York — before a connecting domestic flight to DFW. Total travel time from Stockholm to Dallas, including connections, typically runs 14–18 hours depending on the routing. SAS and partner carriers serve the main transatlantic connections. Direct services from Stockholm to Dallas do not currently operate on a regular scheduled basis, so a connection is almost certain. Fans should book accommodation in the wider Dallas–Fort Worth area early; hotel stock in Arlington itself is limited relative to demand.
Tickets
Official tickets for FIFA World Cup 2026 are sold exclusively through FIFA’s ticketing platform at fifa.com/tickets. The organisation has moved through a series of sales phases — ballot-based draws for high-demand matches and first-come, first-served windows for remaining inventory. By Matchday 3 of the tournament, tickets for any group match involving Japan or Sweden — both nations with large, mobile supporter bases — should be treated as scarce. If official channels show no availability, FIFA’s authorised resale platform is the legitimate secondary option and allows fans to resell at face value.
Third-party resale markets will carry tickets, but prices on those platforms typically rise sharply as matchday approaches, particularly if one or both nations need a result to progress. Be cautious of unofficial street sellers and unverified online listings. Buying through unofficial channels carries the risk of invalid barcodes. Always check the official FIFA site first and verify any resale platform’s authorisation status before purchasing.
Fan Zones and City Guide
Dallas–Fort Worth’s official FIFA Fan Zone location had not been confirmed at the time of writing — details will be published through the official Host City Dallas website and FIFA’s tournament portal. Previous World Cup host cities have placed fan zones in central public spaces with large screens, food vendors, and entertainment, typically running for several hours before and after each match.
Uptown Dallas is the natural gathering point for international football fans arriving in the city. The area around McKinney Avenue and Knox Street has a dense cluster of bars and restaurants with international sports coverage. Deep Ellum, east of downtown, is Dallas’s live music and late-night district and typically attracts supporters looking for atmosphere after a match.
Three things to do if you arrive a day early:
1. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza — housed in the former Texas School Book Depository, it is one of the most visited historical sites in the American South and worth a few hours.
2. Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District — a genuine remnant of the cattle-drive era, with daily longhorn drives along Exchange Avenue. It is a short drive or TRE trip from Arlington.
3. AT&T Discovery District in downtown Dallas — a renovated AT&T campus with public art, food stalls, and an outdoor screen, useful for getting your bearings in the city centre.
Watch the Match Remotely
If you cannot make it to Arlington in person, comprehensive broadcast information for every territory, along with tactical previews of both squads, is available through our dedicated match guide. Full preview and where to watch
FAQ
- Where is Japan vs Sweden being played?
- Japan vs Sweden, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F Matchday 3, is being played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Thursday 25 June 2026. Arlington sits between Dallas and Fort Worth in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.
- How many fans does AT&T Stadium hold?
- AT&T Stadium's capacity varies depending on configuration. For NFL games it typically accommodates around 80,000, with the ability to expand further for major events. FIFA will confirm the official configured capacity for World Cup fixtures through official tournament communications.
- How do I get to AT&T Stadium from Dallas city centre?
- There is no direct rail link to the stadium. The best public transport route is the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) from Dallas Union Station toward Fort Worth, alighting near Arlington, then taking a shuttle or rideshare to the venue. For World Cup matchdays, enhanced shuttle services from TRE stations are expected. A direct rideshare from downtown Dallas takes roughly 25–35 minutes outside peak traffic.
- Can I still buy tickets for Japan vs Sweden at the 2026 World Cup?
- Tickets must be purchased through FIFA's official ticketing platform at fifa.com/tickets. Availability for Matchday 3 fixtures will depend on what remains from earlier sales phases. FIFA also operates an authorised resale platform where face-value resales are listed. Unofficial third-party resellers carry higher prices and fraud risks, so always verify any platform's FIFA authorisation before purchasing.
- What is there to do in Dallas for football fans visiting for the World Cup?
- Uptown Dallas — particularly the McKinney Avenue and Knox Street area — is the best zone for sports bars and international match screenings. Deep Ellum offers livelier late-night options. For sightseeing, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and the Fort Worth Stockyards are the two most distinctive local attractions. The official FIFA Fan Zone location for Dallas will be confirmed via the Host City Dallas website closer to the tournament.