Houston set to host Germany, Curaçao in FIFA World Cup
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José de Jesus Ortiz, Founder & Editor in Chief
- June 13, 2026
Germany coach praises ‘amazing’ Houston Stadium
HOUSTON – The wait is over for the Bayou City, which has long been considered one of North America’s top soccer towns. The most diverse city in America is set to host its first 2026 FIFA World Cup match at Houston Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Fans from 190 countries have purchased tickets for the seven matches at Houston Stadium, so it’s not hyperbole to say the eyes of the world will focus on NRG Park’s 350-acre campus over the next three weeks.
Four-time World Cup champion Germany will face Curaçao, the tiny island known in the United States for its baseball stars such as Andruw Jones.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, the former Bayern Munich coach who has been to most of Europe’s best stadiums, was impressed by Houston and the stadium. He also liked the climate-controlled stadium with a retractable roof.
‘An amazing stadium’
“We know it’s one of the biggest cities in the U.S., so at least we just (made) a short visit on the pitch,” Nagelsmann said. “And it’s a beautiful stadium. Perfect temperature. I think it’s perfect to play there with these weather conditions.
“It’s an amazing stadium with a lot of big screens up in the sky. We’re happy to play here and try to do our best tomorrow in this beautiful city and beautiful stadium.”
Amegy Bank senior vice president John Hernandez has had a close look at how much the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation has invested to get NRG Park and NRG Stadium ready for the World Cup.
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“As it has all come together, the beauty of it is really seeing all of our organizations – the Sports Authority, the Sports Corp., NRG, Houston First, the city and the county political leadership – all come together to spotlight Houston and Harris County,” said Hernandez, the HCSCC vice chairman. “I think it will be a great month or so for all of us.
“And we will all succeed and be successful if visitors from around the world, around our county, enter our airports, enter our community, enter our downtown, enter our NRG Park and Houston Stadium and get a chance to enjoy the beautiful sport. I think that is what I’ll be the most proud of if it goes off without a hitch.”
Houston is no stranger to major sporting events or even major soccer events. NRG Stadium has held multiple Super Bowls, Final Fours, national college football championships and almost every major artist’s concert over the last 25 years.
The home to the Houston Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo opened on Aug. 24, 2004, for a Texans game. Less than a year later, North American rivals Mexico and the United States played the first international match at the facility, drawing a crowd of 69,582.
Houston has rich soccer history
Some of the most iconic clubs in international soccer have played at NRG Stadium. Manchester United played the MLS All-Stars in 2010 during its first of two visits to NRG Stadium. La Liga giant Real Madrid has also visited twice. Manchester City, Everton, Serie A power Milan and German giant Bayern Munich have also made appearances at what is being called Houston Stadium during the World Cup.
Mexico’s two most iconic soccer franchises – Club America and Chivas de Guadalajara – also have played at NRG Stadium, which is a regular host for Concacaf Gold Cup matches. Over the years, Argentina, Uruguay, Canada, Panama, Jamaica and Colombia have played at NRG Stadium.
Multiple editions of CONMEBOL’S Copa America, the South American championship, have held matches at NRG Stadium.
The stakes are different now, though. This time the ultimate tournament in sports will be played in Houston. Three days after Germany faces Curaçao, the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will face DR Congo, the lone country that has chosen Houston as its base camp for the World Cup.
The Netherlands will then face Sweden in a Group F match on June 20. Portugal returns on June 23 to face Uzbekistan. Cape Verde will face Saudi Arabia on June 26. Three days later, Houston will play host to a Round of 32 match. Then on July 4, a Round of 16 match will be held at Houston.
Mayor Whitmire is ready
Many Houston and Harris County entities have collaborated to prepare for this moment. From the Houston Host Committee to the HCSCC, which manages the 350-acre NRG Park campus where the games will be played, lots of groups helped prepare for this moment.
“A World Cup played in Houston demonstrates we are a can-do city,” Houston mayor John Whitmire says. “The World Cup in Houston demonstrates we have a city that can successfully host people from around the world and USA and still improve city services and safety.
“And again Houston is recognized as the friendliest anyone can visit. And the World Cup brings jobs and revenue to Houston and shows Houston loves soccer.”
José de Jesus Ortiz
Founder & Editor in Chief
Award-winning writer Jose de Jesus Ortiz, a former lead sports columnist at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, has covered Major League Baseball since 1997 in Los Angeles, St. Petersburg, New York and Houston. He was the first Latino to serve as president of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
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