Jerry Jones has long resisted covering up the massive window at AT&T Stadium during Dallas Cowboys games, despite persistent complaints from players about blinding sun glare. But when it comes to the 2026 World Cup, the Cowboys owner is suddenly willing to throw in the towel—or rather, the curtain.
AT&T Stadium, which will be rebranded as Dallas Stadium for the tournament due to FIFA's strict marketing rules, is set to host nine World Cup matches, including a semifinal. According to Front Office Sports, at least one of those matches will feature curtains drawn across the stadium's iconic window to prevent the sun from interfering with play.
“A FIFA spokesperson tells Front Office Sports that it plans to use the curtains during only one match, which kicks off in the early evening,” the report states. The other eight matches in Arlington will start in the early afternoon or after sunset.
The decision marks a stark contrast to Jones's stance on the issue during NFL games. The stadium, which opened in 2009, has long been criticized for its sun glare during late afternoon games in the fall. Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has been among the most vocal critics, saying he would be “1,000 percent” in favor of using curtains during sunny games.
Jones, however, has dismissed such suggestions with characteristic bluntness. “Well, let’s just tear the (expletive) stadium down and build another one? You kidding me?” he said when asked about the possibility. “Everybody’s got the same thing. Every team that comes in here has the same issues. They know where the sun’s going to be. Every team has the same thing.”
The Cowboys owner has even resorted to sarcasm, asking, “Where’s the moon?” when pressed on the issue. But for the World Cup, apparently, the sun is a problem worth solving.
The move highlights the different priorities between the NFL and the global soccer stage. While Jones is unwilling to compromise the stadium's aesthetics for his own team, he's willing to make an exception for the world's biggest sporting event. This isn't the first time the 2026 World Cup has stirred controversy—recent debates have included FIFA's flag ban and USMNT's potential group stage disaster.
For now, Cowboys fans can only wonder: if curtains are good enough for the World Cup, why aren't they good enough for America's Team?
