Dan Hunt, President of FC Dallas and one of the key leaders behind Dallas’ successful World Cup 2026 bid, joins Intersections to discuss the journey that brought the world’s biggest sporting event back to North America. Dan reflects on the legacy of his father, Lamar Hunt, whose vision helped shape professional soccer in the United States, and shares stories from growing up in one of America’s most influential sports families.
The conversation explores Dallas’ rise as a global soccer hub, the near-collapse and eventual success of Major League Soccer, the evolution of FC Dallas, and the leadership lessons Dan learned from his parents. Dan also explains why World Cup 2026 represents a transformational opportunity for Dallas, Texas, and the future growth of soccer across the United States.
In This Episode
02:15 Dallas and World Cup 202606:20 Growing Up a Hunt06:50 How Lamar Hunt Fell in Love with Soccer13:00 Meeting Pelé and Realizing His Dad Was a Big Deal15:45 Leadership Lessons from Lamar Hunt20:00 The Collector26:30 The History of Soccer in America33:00 Saving MLS42:00 Building FC Dallas and Frisco’s Soccer Future45:30 The State of MLS Today52:00 World Cup Memories and What Makes the Tournament Special1:00:40 Why Dallas Is the Epicenter of World Cup 20261:13:00 The Lasting Legacy of the World Cup
