Sweden‘s World Cup training sessions in Frisco, Texas, have been taking place against an unusual backdrop of ongoing demolition work at Toyota Stadium. Players arrived for a recent training session to find a significant amount of debris and what appeared to be a collapsed grandstand, leading to initial confusion among the squad.
Midfielder Besfort Zeneli commented on the scene, stating, “I just thought, ‘What happened?’ As far as I know, there wasn’t a storm.” This sentiment was echoed by other players who were reportedly wide-eyed upon seeing the demolition for the first time.
Stadium Renovation Project Underway
The visible demolition is part of a substantial renovation project at Toyota Stadium, the home of MLS side FC Dallas and the Dallas Renegades. The project, which began in early 2025, is expected to be completed before the start of the 2028 MLS season. The stadium is undergoing a significant renovation, which is continuing even as Sweden uses the facilities for their World Cup preparations.
Stefan Pettersson, Sweden‘s team manager, confirmed that the team had been informed about the demolition plans beforehand. He noted that while the demolition of the grandstand and press box was scheduled, there was an issue where it appeared to have fallen in an unintended direction. Despite the visual impact, Pettersson emphasized that no one was hurt and the team’s access to the facilities and training schedule remained unaffected.
Demolition Details and Team Performance
An FC Dallas spokesperson clarified that the activity observed near the stadium occurred prior to Sweden‘s training session. The work was described as a planned and controlled demolition within an active construction zone. The spokesperson also stated that a pull-down demolition method was used, and explosives were not involved. Training sessions proceeded as scheduled, with Sweden completing their sessions as planned.
The construction area has been blocked off since early June, before Sweden began using the stadium as its base camp. The ongoing work has not impacted the pitch or any of the facilities being utilized by the team in Frisco, Texas, which is located about 30 miles north of downtown Dallas.
On the field, Sweden has had a mixed performance in the World Cup group stage. They secured a 5-1 victory in their opening game against Tunisia. However, they subsequently lost by the same scoreline against the Netherlands on the second matchday. This leaves them in third place in Group F, requiring a win against Japan in Arlington to guarantee advancement to the knockout rounds.
Impact on Training and Future Plans
Despite the unexpected visual of the demolition, the team’s ability to train and prepare for their matches has not been compromised. The renovation project is a multi-phase endeavor, with FC Dallas continuing to play regular-season games at the stadium throughout the construction period. The work is part of a larger plan for the stadium, with full completion anticipated in 2028.
The Sweden team is focused on their upcoming match against Japan, which is crucial for their progression in the tournament. The demolition work at their training base, while surprising to the players, has not disrupted their preparations for the final group stage game on Thursday.
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Source: nytimes.com
