local
Texas hosting three matchups in Round of 32 at FIFA World Cup
By Billy Gates at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)
· June 29, 2026
· 1 min read
The tournament's expansion from 32 to 48 teams created an extra knockout round in hopes of giving countries moments like this. With 15 matches left in the round, Texas plays host to three of them, so a Lone Star State stadium could be the site of an historic victory.
Key takeaway With 15 matches left in the round, Texas plays host to three of them, so a Lone Star State stadium could be the site of an historic victory.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The fact that Texas is hosting three matchups in the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup brings significant attention to the state, and by extension, the Midland-Odessa area. As the Permian Basin's largest cities, Midland and Odessa often benefit from major events held in Texas, with potential visitors and fans traveling through or stopping in the area. The economic impact of hosting major international sporting events can be substantial, and local businesses may see an increase in sales and revenue as a result of the increased exposure. Additionally, the presence of these high-profile matches in Texas could also lead to increased interest in local soccer programs and initiatives, potentially benefiting Ector County schools and community organizations that promote youth sports development.
About this story
Original reporting by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Odessa stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The tournament's expansion from 32 to 48 teams created an extra knockout round in hopes of giving countries moments like this. With 15 matches left in the round, Texas plays host to three of them, so a Lone Star State stadium could be the site of an historic victory.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Billy Gates at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter