Dan Hunt, chairman of FC Dallas, whose club contributed four players to the USMNT squad for the 2026 World Cup, said the game's future in America hinges on local talent. "We firmly believe in local talent, and we want to help not only Dallas win but also the national teams," Hunt said Monday in a press statement. "Because I truly believe that a weak national team hurts the local league." When USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino announced the official squad for the World Cup, no club played a greater role in developing the players representing the co-host nation than FC Dallas. The Frisco-based club developed the quartet of Weston McKennie, Chris Richards, Ricardo Pepi, and Alejandro Zendejas, making it the leading provider of talent among MLS clubs. All four players featured in America's run to the Round of 16, but Dallas's status as the host city with the most World Cup matches among the 16 host cities points to an even brighter future. Dallas' stadium hosts its ninth and final World Cup match on Tuesday evening when France face Spain in the first semifinal of the tournament, concluding more than four weeks of competition. "We are very grateful to have hosted nine matches," added Hunt, who also served as co-chair of the North Texas World Cup organizing committee. "We've seen incredible matches here, including England vs. Croatia, Japan's amazing performances twice, Argentina, and even hosting Cristiano Ronaldo's last World Cup match. I mean, it's truly amazing." The Hunt family has been integral to the sport at both the regional and national levels since Lamar, Dan's father, founded the Dallas Tornado in 1967. A year later, the team became a founding member of the North American Soccer League, continuing until the league ceased operations in 1981. Hunt believes the Tornado's deep roots and ongoing investment in youth soccer through the current MLS team are among the key reasons the Dallas area consistently produces America's best players. "Sports have a huge place in Texas," he continued. "Families are willing to invest the time and effort, and the climate is favorable despite the heat. The reason this region is such a great youth soccer market is the Dallas Tornado, because many of those players stayed after their careers, founded youth clubs—both boys and girls who became coaches at local high schools or organized camps and workshops. So you have this massive, integrated system of teams where matches are highly competitive all the time, and everyone pushes each other to improve even more." Hunt is confident that the system that developed McKennie and his peers received a boost from hosting the World Cup and can continue developing players at all levels. Dallas saw roughly a 10 percent growth in youth teams in 2025, with an expected additional increase of at least 7 percent this year, as the World Cup effect boosted interest in the sport. Before hosting, redevelopment work began at the club's Toyota Stadium, which was used by Sweden as a training base.