Fan ‘fury’ erupts at 2026 World Cup stadium hosting England after owner performs surprise U-turn

AT&T Stadium is set for several changes ahead of the 2026 World Cup, but one decision by owner Jerry Jones has unexpectedly created a fresh wave of debate among supporters.

The stadium is preparing for FIFA requirements and extreme summer conditions, although many Dallas Cowboys fans are questioning why some changes appear to be arriving for football's biggest international event and not for their own team.

AT&T Stadium has blackout curtains installed ahead of 2026 World Cup

AT&T Stadium in Arlington will host nine World Cup matches, including England's opener against Croatia, and plans are now in place to install blackout curtains to deal with a long-running sunlight issue inside the venue.

The stadium's west-facing windows have repeatedly caused problems during NFL games, with sunlight shining directly across the field during early evening kick-offs.

The issue has previously affected Dallas Cowboys players, with wide receivers including George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb publicly referencing visibility problems during games.

For this summer's World Cup, FIFA has reportedly approved the use of blackout curtains for one of the stadium's early evening fixtures, when Japan face Sweden on June 25th, with the measure designed to improve playing conditions and minimise the impact of intense sunlight.

The changes come alongside another significant temporary adjustment, with natural grass being installed over the artificial surface in line with FIFA regulations.

However, frustration among Cowboys supporters has grown because Jones has previously dismissed calls for similar solutions during NFL matches.

His past comments about the issue became well known after joking that critics may as well “tear the stadium down” rather than complain about sunlight.

That contrast has sparked ‘fury' online, via the Daily Mail, with supporters questioning why World Cup requirements appear to be bringing changes they had wanted for years.

FGG says: Cowboys fans are understandably asking questions

The frustration here feels less about the curtains themselves and more about the principle behind them.

For years, players and supporters have complained about sunlight affecting games at AT&T Stadium, only to repeatedly hear the issue brushed aside. Now, with the World Cup arriving, blackout curtains and temporary grass are suddenly appearing.

Of course, some of this is simply because FIFA has strict requirements around playing conditions and natural surfaces, but from a Cowboys fan's perspective, it is easy to see why there is irritation when solutions previously considered unnecessary suddenly become possible.