Five of the biggest football matches ever staged at AT&T Stadium ahead of England vs Croatia

Few venues in world sport can rival the scale and spectacle of AT&T Stadium.

Best known as the home of the Dallas Cowboys, the Arlington giant has also established itself as one of the premier football venues in North America.

From Gold Cup knockouts and Nations League finals to record-breaking club friendlies featuring some of the world's biggest teams, the stadium has become a regular destination for football's biggest occasions.

Its 2026 World Cup journey is now underway following a thrilling 2-2 draw between the Netherlands and Japan, while England are set to begin their campaign here against Ghana on June 17th.

Before the Three Lions arrive in Texas, FootballGroundGuide looks back at five of the biggest and most iconic football events ever staged at Dallas Stadium.

Costa Rica 5–1 Guadeloupe & Mexico 4–0 Haiti (2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarter‑Finals)

Every footballing story at AT&T Stadium began here.

Just weeks after the venue officially opened, more than 85,000 supporters packed into the stadium for its first-ever football double-header. Costa Rica comfortably dispatched Guadeloupe before Mexico eased past Haiti to book their place in the semi-finals.

The results themselves have largely faded from memory, but the significance of the occasion has not.

The enormous turnout immediately demonstrated the stadium's potential as a football venue and laid the foundations for the countless major matches that would follow.

USA 3–1 Honduras & Panama 2–1 Mexico (2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup Semi‑Finals)

Four years later, AT&T Stadium hosted another major Gold Cup double-header and delivered one of the competition's most memorable evenings.

The United States overcame Honduras to continue their march towards the trophy, while Panama stunned regional giants Mexico in the second semi-final. The event also marked the first appearance of the US men's national team at the venue.

With nearly 80,000 fans spread across two fiercely competitive knockout matches, the day reinforced AT&T Stadium's reputation as one of North America's premier tournament venues.

Barcelona 3–0 Real Madrid (2023 El Clasico Friendly)

Few fixtures in world football carry the weight of El Clasico.

More than 82,000 supporters packed AT&T Stadium to watch Barcelona and Real Madrid renew their rivalry in front of one of the largest club football crowds in the venue's history.

Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring before Ferran Torres and Fermin Lopez completed a convincing Barcelona victory.

The quality of the football, combined with the sheer scale of the crowd, underlined Arlington's growing status as a destination for elite club events.

United States 2–0 Mexico (2024 CONCACAF Nations League Final)

The latest chapter in North America's fiercest international rivalry unfolded in front of another packed crowd.

Tyler Adams produced the defining moment with a stunning long-range strike before Gio Reyna sealed victory as the United States secured a third successive Nations League title.

The atmosphere throughout was intense, reflecting the significance of a fixture that has become one of international football's standout rivalries.

For AT&T Stadium, it was further evidence that the biggest matches in the region increasingly find their way to Arlington.

Netherlands 2–2 Japan (2026 World Cup Group Stage)

AT&T Stadium's long-awaited World Cup debut did not disappoint.

A crowd of 69,285 witnessed a pulsating contest, as the Netherlands and Japan shared four goals in one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament's opening week.

Chances flowed at both ends, momentum shifted repeatedly, and the occasion showcased the venue at its very best.

After years of hosting major football events, the stadium finally welcomed the sport's biggest tournament and delivered a match worthy of the occasion.

AT&T Stadium was built for events like the 2026 World Cup

From its first Gold Cup matches in 2009 to World Cup football in 2026, AT&T Stadium has become one of the most important football venues in North America.

That status extends beyond the sport itself.

The stadium has hosted Super Bowl XLV, WrestleMania 32 and several record-breaking boxing events, proving its ability to stage spectacles on a global scale.

Now, with England preparing to begin their World Cup campaign in Arlington, AT&T Stadium is once again ready for its place in the spotlight.