The world is here. For one unforgettable month, Houston is one of just 16 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026, the largest in the tournament's history with 48 national teams. From June 11 through July 19, our city welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors, seven matches at Houston Stadium, and a free festival that has turned East Downtown into the biggest watch party we have ever thrown.

At The Sumbera Team, we have spent the last 11 years helping people fall in love with Houston and find their place in it. So think of this as your one stop guide to soccer summer. Every match, every detail, and a few honest reasons why the people visiting this summer might just decide to stay.

A quick local note before we dive in. FIFA refers to the venue as Houston Stadium during the tournament because of sponsorship rules, but you know it as NRG Stadium in NRG Park, just south of the Medical Center. The easiest way in is the METRORail Red Line to the Stadium Park / Astrodome stop, right beside the gates.

THE SEVEN MATCHES AT HOUSTON STADIUM

Germany vs Curaçao

Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. | Houston Stadium (NRG Stadium), NRG Park

Houston's World Cup officially kicks off here, and what an opener it is. Germany arrives as a four time world champion, and Curaçao brings the joy and pride of a Caribbean island nation on the global stage for one of the first times ever. Expect a packed house, a sea of flags, and the kind of electricity that only a tournament opener carries. If you want to feel exactly why people from every corner of the planet choose to gather in Houston, this is the match that sets the tone.

Portugal vs DR Congo

Wednesday, June 17 at 12 p.m. | Houston Stadium (NRG Stadium), NRG Park

This is a marquee draw. Portugal, one of the top ranked sides in Europe, faces a spirited DR Congo team that earned its place through the very last playoff window. Beyond the football, this match is a snapshot of who we are. Houston is home to one of the most internationally diverse populations in the country, and matchdays like this turn that everyday diversity into a celebration. For families relocating here, that mix of cultures is one of the quiet reasons Houston feels like home so quickly.

Netherlands vs Sweden

Saturday, June 20 at 12 p.m. | Houston Stadium (NRG Stadium), NRG Park

Two proud European football nations meet inside one of the most comfortable venues in the tournament. Houston Stadium is fully climate controlled, which matters in a Houston June, and it means you get world class football without the heat. Expect technical, end to end soccer and a crowd that knows the game. If you are considering a move and worried about summer weather, this match is a good reminder that Houston life is built around great indoor spaces, from the stadium to the Galleria to the Theater District.

Portugal vs Uzbekistan

Tuesday, June 23 at 12 p.m. | Houston Stadium (NRG Stadium), NRG Park

Portugal returns to Houston, and demand for this one is high. This is the kind of fixture that fills hotels, restaurants, and neighborhoods with energy and spending. That economic engine is exactly why Houston keeps drawing new residents and investors. No state income tax, a diversified economy that reaches well beyond energy, and major events like this one landing in our backyard. If you have ever wondered whether Houston is a smart place to plant roots or build a portfolio, weeks like this answer the question.

Cabo Verde vs Saudi Arabia

Friday, June 26 at 7 p.m. | Houston Stadium (NRG Stadium), NRG Park

The only evening kickoff in Houston, and it pairs a historic World Cup debut from Cabo Verde with a Saudi Arabia side that has shocked giants before. A Friday night under the lights means the whole city leans in. Dinner reservations fill up, rooftop bars come alive, and the EaDo and Midtown nightlife runs late. This is Houston at its most social, and it is a great preview of the lifestyle that comes with living in or near the urban core.

Round of 32: Group C Winner vs Group F Runner Up

Monday, June 29 at 12 p.m. | Houston Stadium (NRG Stadium), NRG Park

Now the stakes change. The group stage is over, and from here a single match can end a nation's dream. We will not know the two teams until the groups wrap, which only adds to the drama. Hosting a knockout match puts Houston on the national broadcast stage in the best possible way, the kind of spotlight that lifts a city's profile and, over time, its real estate. Knockout football is pure tension, so come early and soak it in.

Round of 16

Saturday, July 4 at 12 p.m. | Houston Stadium (NRG Stadium), NRG Park

World Cup knockout football on Independence Day. It is hard to imagine a better Houston day. Fireworks, barbecue, family, and one of the biggest matches the city will host all summer. The two teams will be set by the Round of 32 results, but the atmosphere is guaranteed. If you want one match that captures the spirit of living here, the warmth, the celebration, the global and the all American all in one afternoon, this is it.

Tickets: Match tickets are sold exclusively through FIFA's official platform at fifa.com/tickets. Always buy through the official source to avoid resale scams.

No ticket? No problem. The official FIFA Fan Festival Houston has transformed a 275,000 square foot stretch of East Downtown into the city's global soccer headquarters, and it is completely free.

Where: 2301 Dallas Street in EaDo, near Shell Energy Stadium

When: Every match day from June 11 through July 19

Closed on rest days: July 8, 12, 13, 16, and 17

Hours: Gates open 90 minutes before the first match of each day

Getting there: METRORail Green or Purple Line to the EaDo / Stadium Station, then a short five minute walk.

Expect giant screens showing every match of the tournament, live music, cultural performances, interactive soccer activities for kids, and food vendors representing Houston's incredible range of flavors, from Texas barbecue to Vietnamese pho to authentic tacos. The festival is expected to welcome more than half a million visitors across the tournament, with thousands turning up daily.

This is the side of Houston that visitors remember most. Walkable, welcoming, diverse, and genuinely fun. EaDo has become one of the most exciting neighborhoods in the city, and this summer it is the heartbeat of the World Cup.

Every host city gets its month in the sun, but Houston has something that lingers long after the final whistle. The same things that make us a great place to host the world make us a great place to live in and invest in.

A diverse, welcoming community where more than 145 languages are spoken. A powerhouse economy that reaches far beyond energy into medicine, aerospace, technology, and trade. No state income tax. A cost of living that still gives you room to grow, whether you are buying your first home or expanding a portfolio. And a calendar that keeps proving Houston belongs on the world stage.

If the energy of this summer has you wondering what life here could look like, you are exactly the kind of person we love to help.

For 11 years, we have guided buyers, sellers, and investors through the most personal financial decisions of their lives, and we have done it with care, candor, and full service support from the first conversation to long after the keys change hands.

Whether you are a relocating executive, a professional athlete, a first time buyer, a veteran, or an investor watching Houston's momentum and wanting in, we will give you the honest market insight and white glove guidance you deserve. No pressure, no fluff, just real expertise from a team that knows this city street by street.

The world is in Houston this summer. If you are thinking about making it your home, we would be glad to show you around.

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