The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, and preparations are accelerating across North Texas. In Dallas, crews are working around the clock on one of the most critical pieces of the tournament: the international broadcast center. Inside the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, studios are being built, control rooms are taking shape, and miles of high-speed fiber are being installed. Cameras were not allowed during a construction tour for journalists on Monday, but hard hats and safety vests were required. As of Monday, construction had been underway for 54 days. “So, this is like a giant relay station of every match feed and everything coming here,” said FIFA Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi. Schirgi said the international broadcast center, often referred to as the IBC, is expected to bring between 3,000 and 3,500 media members to Dallas for several weeks. It will operate around the clock during the World Cup, serving as a hub for international coverage. “Of course, there’s an economic impact to that. But there is also a big image impact, right, because these people are here, they will report, they will do their features and Dallas will feature in those maybe more than other cities because the people are placed here,” Schirgi said. While preparations continue in Dallas, another storyline is unfolding outside North Texas. Rising international tensions are raising questions about whether one of the tournament’s qualified teams — Iran — will participate. “At some stage, we will have a resolution, and the World Cup will go on, obviously. The World Cup is too big, and we hope that everyone can participate that has qualified,” Schirgi said. The broadcast center is expected to be ready before the tournament begins. Media outlets are expected to start moving into the facility in mid-May. ...read more read less