Winning Houston – Mobilizing churches, volunteers, and organizations across Houston for gospel-centered impact during FIFA World Cup 2026. Through citywide events like SoccerFest, The Net, and FanZone, Winning Houston is driving a movement to transform lives and leave a lasting spiritual legacy.

WHY IT MATTERS

A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity

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May Your ways be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.
May the peoples praise You, O God; May the nations be glad and sing for joy!
Psalm 67:1-4

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The World Came to Houston!

Houston became a global crossroads as the world’s premier soccer event brought the nations to our city this summer. With over 500,000 visitors in Houston and billions watching worldwide, this was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to engage cultures and share the Gospel with people who may have never heard the Good News of Jesus Christ.

This moment was more than short term outreach—it laid the groundwork for a lasting legacy of transformation through united churches, equipped believers, and changed lives across Greater Houston long after the final match.

How Churches MADE An Impact

Whether together as a church body or as individuals or families serving on their own, church members from across Houston stepped forward to participate in this unique opportunity to share the Gospel with the world. Here are just a few of the ways they made an impact:

PRAY

Volunteers gathered for a Prayer Walk around NRG Stadium, site of 7 FIFA World Cup matches.
Community members gathered for a prayer event at
Volunteers were provided with the World Cup Teams Prayer Guide as they intervened for each of theparticipating teams

PARTICIPATE

Volunteers at SoccerFest events across the city
Volunteers hosting guests at the Greatest GOAL
Hosts of Watch Parties in neighborhoods around town

PROCLAIM

Engaged local and international visitors in Gospel conversations at the FIFA Fan Festival and in community spaces.
Got trained in cross-cultural outreach and Gospel conversations — a skill that will continue to serve them well in Houston

How Your Church Can BE Impacted

We look forward to hearing how churches are blessed by their involvement in Winning Houston! For example, in other citywide initiatives, churches have seen:

Strengthened connections through a shared experience with others.
Members learning and applying skills they can use going forward.
Interest sparked among members to continue serving after the event – in their churches, communities, or on the mission field.

THE WORLD CAME TO HOUSTON

Largest FIFA World Cup in history with 48 teams playing in 104 matches in 16 cities across USA, Canada, and Mexico from June 11-July 19

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480,186 people attended
7 matches at NRG Stadium, an average of 68,598 per match, between June 14-July 4

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81% of ticket buyers came from outside the Houston area

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44% of ticket buyers came from other countries, representing over 200 nations

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More than 1,000,000 participants attended FIFA World Cup™ related events in Houston

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550,000+ fans attended the FIFA Fan Festival™ in EaDO