With the United States hosting the majority of the 2026 World Cup, the cities of Dallas and Houston have become two important destinations for Arab and Muslim fans; cities that, in addition to hosting matches of Arab teams, also have dozens of halal restaurants and food centers, and can largely address the food concerns of Muslim travelers.

Shabestan News Agency, International Group: The United States of America will host a large portion of the 2026 World Cup, and among the host cities, Dallas and Houston have a special place for Arab fans; because matches of Arab teams will be held in these two cities. With thousands of fans traveling from Riyadh, Jeddah, Amman, Cairo and other Arab cities, finding safe halal food has become one of the most important parts of travel planning.

Dallas and Houston both have significant Arab and Muslim populations and dozens of restaurants with certified halal meat operate in them; Restaurants, some of which are run by chefs from Beirut, Baghdad, Morocco and Palestine.

This report reviews the top halal food options in the two cities, how to ensure the authenticity of halal certification and practical advice for Arab fans during the tournament.

Dallas and Houston; host key matches

All of Dallas’ matches will be held at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The city will host nine matches, according to FIFA, including the match between Jordan and Argentina on June 27, 2026, a match that will mark Jordan’s historic first appearance at the World Cup.

Houston will also host seven matches at the NRG Stadium, including the match between Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde on June 26, 2026.

The 2026 World Cup roster includes eight Arab teams, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Jordan and Iraq, which is the highest number of Arab teams in the history of the competition.

How to make sure that food is halal in the United States?

Experts emphasize that the mere presence of phrases such as "Mediterranean" or "Middle Eastern" on the door of restaurants does not mean that the meat is halal, because some restaurants use non-halal meat despite serving Arabic or Lebanese cuisine.

The most important reputable halal certification bodies in the United States include "IFANCA", "HTO", "AHF" and "ISA". Reputable restaurants usually publish the logo of these certificates on their menus, windows or official pages.

Travelers are also advised to ask directly about Islamic slaughtering of meat and how to separate halal food from non-halal products when ordering food.

Best Halal Restaurants in Dallas

There are numerous halal restaurants operating in North Dallas and its suburbs, especially in the cities of Richardson and Plano.

Open since 2002, Afrah Restaurant in Richardson is known for its meat and chicken shawarma, Arabic kebabs, and traditional pastries.

Iraqi restaurant Balad is also one of the most well-known options for Arab fans, with its fresh samoon bread, Iraqi shawarma, and traditional dishes.

Dimasiz in Plano is also a popular dining destination for Muslim families and tourists, with a buffet of more than 60 types of halal food.

Abu Omar Halal in Arlington is also a convenient option for fans looking for a quick halal meal after the game, due to its proximity to AT&T Stadium.

Houston; Wide Variety of Halal Food

Houston is also considered one of the most important centers of halal food in the state of Texas due to its cultural diversity.

Lebanese restaurant "Fadi", which has been operating since 1996, is one of the most well-known centers offering completely halal food in the city.

Restaurant "Aladdin" also has a lot of customers with a combination of Lebanese and Greek cuisine and the use of halal meat.

The large market "Phoenicia" in downtown Houston also has a special section for halal meat and Arabic prepared foods in addition to selling Mediterranean foods.

Advice for Arab fans in Texas

Fans are advised to book their accommodation near areas with halal restaurants, not just near the stadiums; because hotels around the stadiums fill up quickly and become very expensive.

Also, due to the heavy congestion of Dallas and Houston airports during the matches, travelers should allow enough time for flights and transfers.

So far, the World Cup host stadiums in the United States have not officially introduced dedicated prayer rooms; Muslim fans are advised to arrange their prayer times before entering the stadium or use the numerous Islamic centers in the two cities.