The 2026 World Cup is in full swing, and the United States, along with Mexico and Canada are this year’s host countries. Cities across America are hosting this year’s matches at their landmark stadiums, including Dallas and Houston, making the Lone Star State a key player in this year’s global soccer matchup.

In addition to providing its world-class stadiums, Texas is supplying much of the oil and natural gas used to power stadiums across North America. Texas produces more crude oil than any other U.S. state, and the Permian Basin, which stretches across Texas and New Mexico, accounted for 48% of total U.S. crude oil production in 2025 and 23% of U.S. marketed natural gas production. U.S. LNG exports are also increasing, with EIA forecasting LNG exports to average 17.0 Bcf/d in 2026. Mexico has also increased its imports of U.S. pipeline natural gas, reaching 6.4 Bcf/d in 2024 and a record 7.5 Bcf/d in May 2025, much of it connected to Texas border corridors.

For the matches in Dallas and Houston especially, Texas’ vast infrastructure is playing a pivotal role in ensuring this year’s events go smoothly. From keeping the stadium cool during hot summers, to affordable gas and diesel for transportation and aviation of people and goods, to powering international broadcasts, it's clear Texas energy producers are behind America’s ability to host an international sporting event of this caliber.  

The amount of power required to successfully operate these events, in addition to all other regular economic activity in the region, requires a stable and well-supplied grid. ERCOT, Texas’s main electric grid, predominantly powered by natural gas, a dispatchable fuel that serves as the largest single source of power that can also provide critical back-up for intermittent fuels like solar, wind and battery storage.

Source: ERCOT Fuel Mix

Cities like Dallas and Houston are also working to move large numbers of fans to stadiums, airports, hotels, and fan events, therein depending greatly on affordable gasoline and diesel prices to power public transportation. North Texas is using rail, buses, shuttles, and the GoPass app to help fans reach World Cup events, while Houston METRO is running extra and more frequent service for stadiums, airports, tourists areas, and fan zones. These transportation systems help cities manage large crowds efficiently, while also being important supplements to individual forms of transportation like cars.

Bottom Line: Texas is a key pillar in powering the world cup in North America affordably because of its vast natural gas production, reliable electric grid, infrastructure and transportation systems, and LNG exports. Reliable energy is essential for supporting major events at a global scale, and Texas is leading the way.