Overview
- FIFA confirmed on May 20–21 that it will lower AT&T Stadium’s blackout curtains for the June 25 Japan–Sweden group match, which has a local kickoff of about 6 p.m.
- The stadium already has a temporary natural grass surface installed for the tournament and FIFA will run stadium operations under World Cup rules while matches are staged.
- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has long refused to use the curtains for NFL games, a stance that contrasts with FIFA’s decision and follows high-profile incidents such as CeeDee Lamb’s missed 2024 catch blamed on sun glare.
- The NFL Players Association has criticized owners for accommodating soccer needs like temporary grass and curtains while opposing similar changes for NFL players, framing the World Cup steps as a double standard.
- FIFA says venue teams will monitor light for other matches and can deploy the curtains as needed but most of Arlington’s other nine World Cup kickoffs are midday or after sunset and are unlikely to require them.