arts
Messi mania arrives in North Texas ahead of Argentina match
By Katy Blakey at NBC DFW
· June 20, 2026
· 2 min read
Excitement is building across downtown Dallas as Lionel Messi and Argentina prepare to play Austria on Monday in a group-stage match at Dallas Stadium. The defending World Cup champions are expected to draw massive crowds to North Texas, with an estimated 100,000 Argentina fans expected to visit the
Key takeaway The defending World Cup champions are expected to draw massive crowds to North Texas, with an estimated 100,000 Argentina fans expected to visit the area for the match.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The arrival of Lionel Messi and Argentina in North Texas is set to bring a significant economic boost to the region, with thousands of fans expected to flood local businesses in downtown Dallas. For Fort Worth residents, the excitement is likely to spill over into their own city, with many possibly making the short trip to Dallas Stadium to catch a glimpse of the soccer legend. Local entrepreneurs like Fatima Aoun are already capitalizing on the influx of fans, selling custom merchandise to capitalize on the "Messi or Ronaldo" debate. As the festivities get underway, Fort Worth's own Sundance Square may see an increase in visitors, particularly if fans decide to explore the broader Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With Argentina playing two group-stage games at Dallas Stadium, the city of Fort Worth may also see an increase in hotel bookings and tourism, making this a lucrative opportunity for local businesses to tap into the World Cup frenzy.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC DFW . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC DFW . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: arts ·
Published: June 20, 2026 ·
Source: NBC DFW ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Excitement is building across downtown Dallas as Lionel Messi and Argentina prepare to play Austria on Monday in a group-stage match at Dallas Stadium. The defending World Cup champions are expected to draw massive crowds to North Texas, with an estimated 100,000 Argentina fans expected to visit the
When was this published? This article was first published on June 20, 2026 by NBC DFW and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Katy Blakey at NBC DFW. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more arts coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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