Hundreds of Argentine soccer fans filled Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas on Sunday afternoon, creating a lively atmosphere ahead of their national team’s first North Texas match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The event, known as a banderazo, featured chants, drums, flags, and celebrations as supporters gathered to rally behind Argentina.

Fans began arriving early Sunday morning, donning Argentina’s traditional light blue and white jerseys as temperatures rose into the low 90s. By late afternoon, the park was packed, prompting Dallas police to close nearby streets to vehicular traffic. The gathering marked a continuation of a tradition in the city, where Klyde Warren Park has become a central venue for Argentine fans in the region. The site notably hosted a large crowd in December 2022 following Argentina’s victory over France to secure their third World Cup title in Qatar.

Among the attendees was Gustavo Giampaolo, who traveled a long distance from Patagonia in southern Argentina. He brought his 13-year-old son, Santiago, who was attending his first World Cup. “It’s an unforgettable experience,” Santiago said. Also present was Andrés Mendoza, who had arrived from Buenos Aires the previous week to watch both of Argentina’s matches in North Texas. Mendoza said he began saving for the trip three years ago to fulfill his dream of supporting the team in person. He added that his childhood memories of living in North Carolina made the experience particularly meaningful.

Argentina is scheduled to play Austria on Monday, June 22, at noon and Jordan on Saturday, June 27, at 9 p.m. Both matches will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, which has been temporarily renamed Dallas Stadium for the duration of the tournament. Organizers anticipate around 100,000 Argentine fans to travel to North Texas throughout the World Cup.

The gatherings are organized by two of the largest Argentina supporter groups in the area, Hinchas Argentinos and La Banda de Argentina, previously known as La Barra de Barwargento during the Qatar World Cup. These fan organizations selected Klyde Warren Park as the rally point for their celebrations.

Another banderazo is planned for Friday, June 26, at 6 p.m. at the same location, as fans prepare to cheer on their team for the upcoming match. The events serve not only as a show of national pride but also as a unifying space for Argentine supporters to come together in a festive and spirited atmosphere ahead of key World Cup fixtures.