Get ready for an exciting international showdown, because the Dallas Cowboys, known as "America's Team," are set to make history by playing a regular-season game in Brazil! This marks a significant moment, as it is the first time in 12 seasons that the Cowboys will be taking their talents abroad for a matchup that promises to captivate fans. The NFL has just revealed that the Cowboys will be heading to Rio de Janeiro this season, although the specific date and opponent are yet to be announced. These details are likely to emerge closer to the schedule release in May, so stay tuned!
This upcoming game is especially noteworthy as it continues the NFL's trend of hosting regular-season games in Brazil for the third consecutive year. However, unlike the previous two games which took place in São Paulo, this event will be held at the iconic Maracanã Stadium in Rio, a venue renowned for its rich history and capacity for over 150,000 spectators during major soccer events, including World Cup matches.
Historically, the Cowboys have only ventured outside of the United States once before for a regular-season game, which occurred in 2014 when they faced off against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London. The Cowboys emerged victorious in that contest with a score of 31-17. Since then, a lengthy 11 seasons have passed before they embarked on another international venture.
Prior to this, the Cowboys participated in several international preseason games in locations such as Mexico City, Monterrey, Toronto, and even Tokyo. The excitement doesn't stop there; the NFL has also announced that the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams will face off in Melbourne, Australia during the 2026 season, further expanding the league's global reach.
As for potential opponents for the Cowboys in Rio, the team is scheduled to hit the road against several formidable foes, including the Washington Commanders, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, and Green Bay Packers. Meanwhile, their home schedule for 2026 features matchups against the same Commanders, Giants, Eagles, as well as the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans.
With all these thrilling developments, who do you think the Cowboys should face in Rio? And how do you feel about the NFL expanding its reach internationally? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
