western
Orange Army brings joy, passion to Arlington ahead of first World Cup match in North Texas
By James Hartley | KERA News at Fort Worth Report
· June 15, 2026
· 8 min read
They gathered under dark clouds on a hill across the street from Choctaw Stadium, creating a sea of orange shirts, jerseys and hats getting soaked by rain five hours before kickoff. Braving that muddy slope and Texas’ indecisive weather, soccer fans from the Netherlands sang along to popular Dutch s
Key takeaway Dallas Stadium, as AT&T Stadium has been rebranded for the World Cup, is seen past Dutch fans marching before the Netherlands-Japan match Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Arlington.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The Orange Army's energetic takeover of the Arlington Entertainment District ahead of the Netherlands vs. Japan World Cup match is a significant event for the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, showcasing the region's ability to host large-scale international events. As the fifth-largest city in Texas, Fort Worth is closely tied to the success of its neighboring cities, and the World Cup's presence in North Texas is a boon for the local economy. The fact that tens of thousands of fans from the Netherlands and other countries are traveling to the area to participate in the festivities demonstrates the region's growing reputation as a hub for international sports and entertainment. With nine World Cup matches scheduled to take place in Arlington, the eyes of the world will be on the Dallas-Fort Worth area, providing an opportunity for Fort Worth and its landmarks, such as the Fort Worth Stockyards and Sundance Square, to be showcased to a global audience.
About this story
Original reporting by Fort Worth Report . 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 Fort Worth Report . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: western ·
Published: June 15, 2026 ·
Source: Fort Worth Report ·
Reading time: 8 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? They gathered under dark clouds on a hill across the street from Choctaw Stadium, creating a sea of orange shirts, jerseys and hats getting soaked by rain five hours before kickoff. Braving that muddy slope and Texas’ indecisive weather, soccer fans from the Netherlands sang along to popular Dutch s
When was this published? This article was first published on June 15, 2026 by Fort Worth Report and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by James Hartley | KERA News at Fort Worth Report. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more western coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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