What do Team Japan, Netherlands players think of AT&T Stadium?
AT&T Stadium hosted its first group-stage match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Sunday in front of 69,285 boisterous fans.
In what FIFA calls Dallas Stadium, the Netherlands and Japan ended the contest with a 2-2 draw. It was the start of a stretch of nine matches played on natural grass with dimensions different from those of NFL games, which required the field to be raised about 4 1/2 feet.
It took a ton of preparation and $300 million in upgrades to get the venue ready for competition — construction started in February following the NFL season. AT&T Stadium, which has drawn over 100,000 fans for NFL games with standing-room-only areas, has a capacity of 70,649 for World Cup matches, according to FIFA.
Even with less fans than the average Dallas Cowboys home game, it was an electric environment, with fans that brought the energy and noise.
“It was a great experience out there,” said Netherlands defender and captain Virgil van Dijk, who plays for Liverpool. “Big stadium. Good atmosphere. Japan made it a good atmosphere as well.”
Van Dijk was a tad less enthusiastic regarding the pitch itself, saying “It was fine.”
Team Japan’s Daichi Kamada, who scored the late equalizer to force the draw, said the pitch was normal, calling it similar to other venues he has played at. But it terms of atmosphere, he was blown away.
“A massive stadium,” Kamada said. “Best stadium in my career. And atmosphere was so amazing. I’m really happy to play in this massive stadium.”
Netherlands defensive midfielder Marten de Roon loved the AT&T Stadium experience so much that he said he wants to come back after the FIFA World Cup to see an NFL game, which is a longtime bucket list item he wants to cross off.
“I love the stadium,” de Roon said. “I’m also a big NFL fan, so it’s quite nice to play in one of the biggest stadiums .... in the NFL. ... [The stadium] was very nice. Amazing stadium. It was also a really good atmosphere. So, props to them. The grass was quite good. I didn’t play myself, but in the warmup, it was quite good. Compliments.”
Japan fans wore blue, adding to the atmosphere with consistent chants and drums. Japan fans even cleaned up AT&T Stadium, honoring a longtime tradition. They used blue bags that were previously used to rally and cheer.
Team Netherlands packed the stands with seas of orange. Netherlands fan Naut Bulten, who is originally from the Netherlands, has experienced American football venues before. He went to Texas A&M and saw the spectacle of Kyle Field and its 102,733 capacity.
But he did say that he appreciate that he wasn’t basking in the sun.
“There is AC everywhere,” Bulten said. “It’s really chill in here. It’s incredible. [AT&T Stadium] isn’t the biggest stadium I’ve been in, but if this was in the Netherlands, it would be the biggest stadium in the whole country.”
Even with the cool, indoor field, the match had a hydration break, which gave the broadcast an opportunity to air some advertisements — one that Dijk said wasn’t necessary.
“I think hydration breaks are really interesting,” Van Dijk said. “I have been watching almost all the games up until today. Every time it goes into a commercial, I don’t really like it. For the neutral watchers on TV, it’s also not great. If it’s really hot, obviously, it’s going to be good [to do], but I think you have to look at it in every game separately.”
AT&T Stadium will host its next FIFA World Cup group stage match when England faces Croatia with the match slated to start at 3 p.m.
“I like the stadium,” said forward Crysencio Summerville, who scored the Netherlands’ second goal. “I love to play for many fans. ... [The grass] was good. Good stadium and good atmosphere.”
This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 7:12 PM.
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