Instagram influencer Courtney “Texas Thighs” caught the World Cup fever and attended one of the biggest sporting events of the year, joining tens of thousands of soccer fans at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for the FIFA World Cup semifinal between Spain and France.
Sharing photos and a video from the match on Instagram, Courtney gave followers a front-row look at the unforgettable experience, from the sea of passionate supporters to the postgame celebrations that carried on long after the final whistle.
“Were you rooting for Spain?” she asked fans alongside her post. “What a fun day with so many people and so much excitement.”
Courtney Says AT&T Stadium Was Completely Transformed For The World Cup
According to Courtney, the excitement began well before kickoff as she made her way toward the stadium alongside thousands of fans enduring the Texas heat and encountering supporters from around the world ready to cheer on the French and Spanish teams who both had expectations to make the World Cup finals.
“It was so fun! So hot walking in with the thousands of people,” she joked. “Everyone was so excited, but they were all so nice.”
One of the first things that stood out was how dramatically AT&T Stadium had been transformed for the tournament. The familiar Cowboys branding had disappeared, replaced by FIFA signage throughout the venue.
“It looked so different than it normally does,” Courtney explained. “All of the traditional Cowboys and stadium signage was transformed with FIFA logos, so it was a whole new experience.”
Inside, the atmosphere only grew more rambunctious. Fans waved French and Spanish flags, sang along to their customary anthems, and filled the stadium with chants. Courtney also reflected on a more emotional moment before play began, when everyone observed a moment of silence to mark the 10th anniversary of a tragedy in France.
She also sat near fans who had already attended three other 2026 World Cup matches to follow their team in different North American cities, adding to the passionate atmosphere.
Between the action on the field, she enjoyed checking out the stadium’s food and drink offerings while mixing with fans and embracing the excitement surrounding the game.
A Controversial Penalty Had France Supporters Voicing Their Frustration
As the match got underway, it quickly became apparent that Spain had the stronger fan presence inside the stadium.
“It was definitely a heavier Spain fan base,” Courtney said. “They were super hyped.”
One of the game’s biggest talking points came after Spain was awarded a penalty that led to its opening goal. The controversial decision sparked plenty of debate among the French supporters.
“When the penalty happened that got Spain their first goal, France fans were all going crazy because it didn’t look like a penalty,” she recalled. “The Stadium showed us the replay on the big screen, so everyone was calling the foul a fake.”
Celebrity Attendees
The semifinal also attracted plenty of star power.
Courtney spotted several high-profile celebrities in attendance, including David and Victoria Beckham, Javier Bardem, Usain Bolt, and Timothée Chalamet.
Music producer Steve Aoki helped energize the crowd before kickoff, while the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders performed during hydration breaks.
Even Cowboys owner Jerry Jones drew some playful boos from sections of the crowd.
The Match
As for game etiquette, Courtney noticed fans were completely locked into the action.
“No one goes to the stands or bathrooms when it’s game time,” she said. “They’re all invested and watching every second. You don’t want to miss anything! Then you run when it’s halftime for a bathroom break and to grab drinks.”
Spain prevailed two to nil over France, depsite France having an overall edge in shots (14-10) and shots on target (4-2).
After the final whistle, the celebration shifted to Texas Live!, where fans packed the entertainment district to continue the festivities.
With Spain advancing, jubilant supporters filled the venue waving oversized flags, singing together, and celebrating late into the evening.
From the unforgettable pregame atmosphere to the nonstop energy inside the stadium and the lively after-party, Courtney’s World Cup experience proved to be much more than just watching a soccer match, it was a full-day celebration of one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
TBL Staff
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Source: The Big Lead