North Texas and The World Cup
(1994 and 2026)
Panel Discussion
April 30, 2026
Thursday, 7 pm
Check-in and Reception 6:15pm
Free and Open to the Public
Angelika Film Center | Mockingbird Station
AIA CES Credit Available
Dallas hosted part of the 1994 World Cup, which increased awareness of soccer, both in Dallas and across the US. The 1994 Cup was also one of the most financially successful World Cups in history. The games were very well-attended at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, increasing enthusiasm for soccer in the North Texas community and resulting in the formation of FC Dallas and the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco.
Thirty-two years later, the World Cup is coming back to North Texas. Nine matches will be played here. Much has changed in North Texas over these three decades, including major growth in population and the building of the AT&T Stadium. Join us for this informative and important Panel Discussion about North Texas and the World Cup.
Attendees will hear from Trey Yelverton, City Manager of Arlington, and Monica Paul, President of the North Texas FIFA Committee. Facilitated by Moderator Noelle Mook, they will discuss the planning that is being done in North Texas to welcome international teams and crowds. What lasting effects will this event have on the future of North Texas and the economy? How will the tournament affect interest in Soccer and other Sports in the community? How will the North Texas infrastructure be tested during this time and what are lessons to be learned for future growth? Please join us on Thursday, April 30th!
Moderator
Noelle Mook is a senior project architect with more than twenty years of experience in strategic planning, project design, construction administration, and client relationship management. Her work spans a wide range of project types, including corporate office build-to-suit developments, government projects, transportation and sports facilities, hospitality projects, and complex mixed-use environments. She is known for her detail-oriented approach and her ability to lead multidisciplinary teams through all phases of a project while maintaining alignment with scope, budget, and schedule.
Throughout her career, Noelle has focused on delivering thoughtful, well-coordinated design solutions that result in lasting client satisfaction and meaningful built environments. Raised in a military family, she spent her childhood traveling, which sparked an early appreciation for architectural history and international design influences. While studying abroad in Rome, her exposure to historic architecture and local culture also ignited a lifelong passion for soccer, or football, and she is especially excited to see FIFA come to North Texas. Beyond architecture, Noelle has a deep passion for music, photography, and dance; creative pursuits that continue to inform her design perspective.
Noelle MOOK
Senior Associate and Senior Project Architect
BOKA Powell Architects
Panelists
As the Executive Director for the Dallas Sports Commission, Monica Paul plays an essential role in implementing bid strategies and marketing programs that enhance Dallas’ acquisition of sports competitions and events, including solicitation of Olympic, professional, collegiate and amateur sports. Paul also works closely with professional leagues, the NCAA, Olympic National Governing Bodies and amateur sports federations, promoting Dallas as a premier destination for events, conventions and meetings. Paul’s efforts proved instrumental in Dallas being named a Host City for FIFA World Cup 26 and securing nine matches during the tournament, more than any other market in 2026.
Prior to joining Visit Dallas in 2008, Paul was the Associate Director of Events at USA Volleyball, where she oversaw the international events for the USA Women’s and Men’s National Teams. Before that, Paul served as Director of International and Domestic Events for USA Taekwondo, and Director of Events, Marketing and Sponsorships for the Junior Volleyball Association of Austin. Paul earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education at the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts in Sports Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. She currently serves on the SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors, Cotton Bowl Classic Board of Directors, the Jason Witten’s SCORE Foundation Board of Directors, Women in Sports & Events (WISE) DFW Chapter Advisory Board, and the University of North Texas Sports Entertainment Management Industry Advisory Board. She was selected as the D CEO Non-profit and Corporate Citizenship Award Winner in Leadership Excellence in 2023, D CEO’s Dallas 500, Women in Business honoree by Dallas Business Journal.
Monica PAUL
Executive Director, Dallas Sports Commission
President, North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee
Trey Yelverton has served as City Manager of Arlington, Texas since 2012. During that time he has spearheaded transformative projects in the state’s seventh largest city, including the Levitt Pavilion, College Park District, Downtown City Center, AT&T Stadium, Texas Live!, Loews Arlington Hotel & Convention Center, Globe Life Field, D.R. Horton Headquarters, GM expansion, Six Flags and Forum 303 mall redevelopments, the Arlington Highlands, and city-wide Via Ride Share. Founding Director of the city’s Economic Development Corporation, Yelverton has also led the Housing Authority and Sports Facilities Development Corporation. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, a Master’s from the University of North Texas, and executive education certificates from Texas A&M’s Bush School and Harvard’s JFK School.
Under Yelverton’s leadership, Arlington received AAA bond ratings from public ratings agencies, Bloomberg Philanthropies’ What Works Cities Gold Certification, all six Transparency Stars from the Texas Comptroller, as well as numerous corporate accreditations and Dallas Business Journal Best Real Estate Deals.
Trey YELVERTON
City Manager
Arlington, Texas
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