Should the Cowboys Play in Mexico During the 2026 Season?

In the 2026 NFL season, the NFL will have nine international games, the most in the history of the league. Cities like London, Madrid, and Munich will see another game this upcoming season. New cities as well will be joining the picture, as Rio de Janeiro, Paris, and Melbourne will have their first-ever NFL games. One city in particular will make its return; they provide the biggest fanbase outside of the United States for the game of football. Mexico City will once again host NFL football for the first time since 2022, and it appears that the Dallas Cowboys may also be set to make their return to Mexico.  

Jerry Jones has expressed his gratitude for the large Mexican fan base that has supported the Cowboys for many years. He has frequently mentioned that Estadio Azteca inspired him to construct AT&T Stadium. In three out of the four preseason games that the Cowboys have played in Mexico, Jerry Jones has watched his Cowboys play in the world-renowned stadium, loving the atmosphere of the 100,000-plus people inside, but their last game on Mexican soil came in 2001. 25 years later, Jones and his Cowboys set their eyes on the Estadio Azteca once again. For years, the stadium has not met the standards it deserves. However, with Mexico set to host the opening game of the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City at Estadio Azteca, the venue has undergone significant renovations to prepare for this prestigious global event. The fully renovated Estadio Azteca is all Jones needed to bring his boys back to Mexico, and with one game being set in Mexico City, there is no better opportunity than next season. 

Now that the Cowboys have the opportunity to return to Mexico and play a game for the first time in 25 years, who could be their likely opponent? One of the teams that could be in contention to join them is the Arizona Cardinals. A team located in a state with a significant Mexican population, and one that has consistently challenged the Cowboys, could provide the opportunity the Cowboys need to finally secure a victory against them in Mexico. An issue that could remain is that the Cowboys will be forced to give up a home game in this scenario against the Cardinals; however, with the amount of respect that Jones and the organization have for the fans in Mexico and what they bring, that might not be a huge concern. For many fans in Mexico who grew up watching NFL games, the Dallas Cowboys were often the team featured most frequently on television. The Cowboys, often referred to as America's Team, also hold a special place in Mexico. For the die-hard cowboy fans who have been counting down the years to see their team come back to their homeland, 2026 should be the year they will get that opportunity.