FIFA deployed black curtains to block sunlight glare on the west end of AT&T Stadium during the World Cup Group F match between Japan and Sweden on Thursday, June 25, 2026, in Arlington, Texas.
The afternoon kickoff at 6 p. m.
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local time created potential for blinding sunlight through the venue's massive glass panels before the 8:40 p.
m. sunset, prompting international football officials to mandate the temporary modification.
Renamed Dallas Stadium for the tournament, the $1.2 billion facility features an unusual east-west alignment that frequently blinds players during afternoon Dallas Cowboys games, though ownership has consistently rejected calls for curtains during NFL events.
The Group F match ended in a 1-1 draw, securing advancement to the round of 32 for both Japan and Sweden.
Spectators noted the covered west panels upon arrival.
Recurring Glare Issues
The glare previously disrupted a Cowboys game last November against Kansas City, where wide receiver George Pickens missed a pass after being blinded while looking toward the western end zone.
"The sun was beating in my eyes, so I couldn't see," said Pickens.
The issue repeated an incident from the 2024 season involving fellow wideout CeeDee Lamb, who failed to track an incoming ball in the end zone against the Philadelphia Eagles due to the intense afternoon light.
"He already knew it. Welcome to Dallas, bro," said Lamb.
Billionaire Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has dismissed the necessity of modifying the stadium for NFL broadcasts, arguing that both teams must adapt to the predictable solar path.
