How the World Cup Can Change FC Dallas
With the 2026 World Cup almost here, FC Dallas’ roster and outlook can change in a big way. Here’s how.
Due to scheduling issues and work conferences, there will be no usual Afterburn Soccer Show this week. Look for a makeup soon to celebrate that nice road win for FC Dallas over the weekend, a super gritty performance that has feeling optimistic about the season.
Right now, the 2026 World Cup is on my mind, and I can’t help but think about the scenarios that could impact FC Dallas’ season ahead through this unpredictable global tournament.
There are two FC Dallas players who are due to earn some key minutes for their nations starting in June, and depending on their performances, their trajectory could shift our hopes and expectations for the Burn. Could this roster get stronger after the World Cup? Sure. Could we also be heading toward a departure or two? Maybe.
First Scenario: Petar Musa stays in strong form, and FC Dallas gets an offer they cannot refuse.
It’s been talked about to death, but there is a strong possibility Petar Musa has played his last game in an FC Dallas kit. The Croatian international is one of Major League Soccer’s top goal scorers and, really, FC Dallas’ best striker ever. He is prolific and has produced even when the total product around him isn’t as good as it could be. Musa is a fan favorite - he is marketable and a joy to watch.
In short, we don’t want his time with FC Dallas to end so soon.
But strong possibility does not mean it is a foregone conclusion. Musa may not get a ton of playing time for Croatia during the World Cup. He could feature off the bench. He could bang in some goals, and he could also have a quiet performance. So much depends on the game state in this tournament.
Of course, if he does bang in some goals and guides Croatia to a deep run, the flip side of a potential departure for Musa is that FC Dallas will get paid. World class strikers don’t grow on trees, and big teams will be lining up to bid for an in-prime goal scorer. That return on investment will be nice, even it will be tough to say goodbye to a guy who is in contention for the golden boot in Major League Soccer.
If Musa leaves, expect FC Dallas’ contender status to take a hit. How the heck do you replace that many goals, that lethal of a striker, a guy who has elevated this team? As much as we love Logan Farrington, is he ready to be the guy who can replace Petar Musa? Can the team go out and find someone who can provide the same offensive output in the summer transfer window? It will be tough.
It will be a win for Musa and for the bank account - but not necessarily for the expectations this season. A Musa departure doesn’t close the door on a playoff run, but it does lower the ceiling. I am not looking forward to this change, even if I want Petar Musa to get the payday he deserves.
Second Scenario: Deedson gets hot and also gets sold.
I wish I could go back in time and head off whatever forces brought Don Deedson Louicius to FC Dallas. The guy isn’t the worst ever FC Dallas signing. As a regular Haitian international and with solid clubs like OB, he has banged out a decent career for himself and definitely has some quality. The problem is just that he doesn’t fit. He’s not a wing back, and Dallas, through other unfortunate circumstances (aka the Lucho debacle), had to shift to a more practical formation that doesn’t rely on wingers.
He’s just an odd man out at the moment.
Since his summer signing, he’s featured in 274 minutes with just 3 starts and a single goal to his name.
That is not good enough for the cap hit, the international roster spot given up, and the rest of the roster needs.
The good news is that Deedson has a chance to shine at the World Cup, to go out and score a goal or two and guide his country to a decent showing. If he does so, maybe some other teams will be interested. Could he move somewhere else in Major League Soccer? Perhaps a Mexican club will be interested in the Haitian winger? Maybe FC Dallas could open this roster spot and have room to bring in another face who does fit the current project.
In short, I want him to do well, because I think the Deedson experience should come to a close. That roster spot could then create room to grab a breakout star whose stock is on the rise… or heck, bring Edouard Nys up to the senior team.
Third Scenario: FC Dallas’ brand continues to rise.
With guys like Ricardo Pepi, Weston McKennie, Chris Richards, and Alejandro Zendejas expected to play key roles, FC Dallas is going to get plenty of love from announcers and analysts. Their rise will only highlight that Dallas/Ft Worth has a talent pipeline to pay attention to.
And, who knows, maybe there is a chance Tanner Tessmann gets the call-up if someone is injured.
Add in the focus on games in Dallas — there will be international eyes and ears on Frisco throughout the tournament.
All of that will boost the FC Dallas brand as a destination and producer of talent. It’s a great moment for the club, and hopefully, it will boost attendance after the World Cup and lay the seed for the next golden talent to start making their way through the academy. It’s up to FC Dallas to make the most of this moment, and their social media work shows they are.
Shout out to the amazing media crew for being ready to highlight these stories. I highly recommend the work they are doing right now, with academy photos to highlight the long and winding path for guys like Weston, Ricardo, and Zendejas to rise to stardom. Let’s be ready for the next twist and turn on their journeys and the journey of this club.