Former Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki listens with FC Dallas midfielder Paxton Pomykal as former Dallas Cowboys player Emmitt Smith addresses a press conference at AT&T Stadium after the match schedule for FIFA World Cup 2026 was revealed via a televised announcement on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Arlington. AT&T Stadium missed out on the World Cup Final, but will host nine matches, the most in the tournament.
Smiley N. Pool/Staff Photographer
Dirk Nowitzki was just a preteen when West Germany won the FIFA World Cup in 1990.
The Wurzburg native recalls a period of jubilation for his home country, a celebration that forged his love of soccer long before he was drafted to play in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks.
“It’s just a great childhood memory of mine,” Nowitzki told The Dallas Morning News this week. “I remember people were going insane in the streets. Running around, honking their cars, celebrating. The country was shut down for days after. It’s just an incredible moment that I remember watching the game with my dad. I’ll never forget it.”
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But until Sunday, when he watched Japan and the Netherlands play to a 2-2 draw in Arlington, the Hall of Fame forward had never attended a World Cup game in person. Nowitzki had a chance to attend the World Cup in 2006, but the German national team lost the day after the Miami Heat defeated his Mavericks in the Finals.
“Not only did I lose in the Finals in ’06, but also didn’t get to go to Germany and watch the World Cup. That was a pretty frustrating summer,” he said.
Nowitzki hopes to create more positive World Cup memories this summer in Dallas, one of 16 North American host cities for the FIFA World Cup. The tournament features nine matches in Arlington, including five group-stage games and the first semifinal game. Nowitzki said he will present the Player of the Match award June 30 in the tournament’s Round of 32 at Dallas Stadium, an experience he’s looking forward to sharing with his family.
The Mavericks legend has been a longtime advocate for soccer, a sport he played as a child, and he’s elated his North Texas home is one of the epicenters of the world’s biggest tournament.
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Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki places a scarf on the Lamar Hunt statue before a game between FC Dallas and Chivas USA on June 23, 2012.
Matthew Visinsky/Icon SMI
“It’s very important that Dallas is a big host city and becomes a centerpiece of the FIFA World Cup,” Nowitzki told The News. “We can showcase how big sports is here, how welcoming we are. The stadium is amazing, and we just have first-class facilities.
“I just think that Texans are always welcoming and super nice and friendly, and we can showcase that. I think it’s amazing that we have nine games, the most of any host city. I’m super thrilled and excited to see what the next three weeks hold.”
Nowitzki, known for his optimism, is somewhat cautious about his hopes for Germany, which beat Curacao 7-1 on Saturday.
“We have a good team, a young team, a talented team, and we should definitely get out of the group and then we’ll see what happens,” he said. “I really liked how this team came together and some incredible young talent, and we’ll see how far they can take it.”
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There’s a second rooting interest in the Nowitzki family: Sweden, where his wife, Jessica, was born. Her brothers, twins Martin and Marcus Olssen, just retired from professional soccer careers. The Nowitzkis hosted family and friends over the weekend to watch games, including Sweden’s 5-1 win over Tunisia.
“I definitely also cheer for Sweden, when they don’t play Germany,” Nowitzki said. “When Germany has played Sweden in any sport, there’s been some competitiveness going on at home with different rooting interests. But of course, I want Sweden to do well if they don’t play Germany. … They played super well yesterday against Tunisia. Hopefully they also have a great tournament.”
Though the World Cup is rooted in competition, Nowitzki is mindful of the awareness the tournament can bring, especially to younger fans who aren’t as familiar with the sport of soccer.
“It’s been incredible to watch the growth of the sport the last 25 years,” he said. “I hope the World Cup generates more interest in the sport, and I hope it inspires some kids to start playing soccer because the talent is definitely here. It’ll be fun if this motivates some kids and youth to eventually have that goal and dream to be in the World Cup.”