FRISCO, Texas — The sombrero is off the table, but the samba might just be starting. After a week of intense speculation that the Dallas Cowboys were destined for a return to Mexico City, reports now confirm America’s Team is pivoting south—way south. The latest intel suggests Dak Prescott and company won’t be heading to Estadio Azteca, but are instead eyeing a historic debut in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the 2026 regular season.
Rio or Bust: The New Frontrunner
The NFL has been aggressive in South America, and it looks like Jerry Jones wants a slice of the pie. While fans clamored for a game in Mexico—where the Cowboys boast their largest international fanbase—ESPN’s John Sutcliffe dropped a bombshell that killed those dreams.
Sutcliffe, a trusted voice on the league’s international maneuverings, reported that while the NFL is returning to Mexico City this year, the Cowboys aren’t on that manifest. Instead, the brass is looking at Rio.
“I know Dallas is not going to Mexico, and the idea is Brazil.” — John Sutcliffe, ESPN (Translated from Spanish)
If finalized, this would be a massive shift in strategy. The NFL broke ground in Brazil just two years ago when the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers lit up São Paulo in 2024. The league doubled down in 2025, sending the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers to the same city for a Week 1 thriller.
Now, the league is looking to expand its footprint to Rio de Janeiro, likely at the iconic Maracanã Stadium. For Dallas, playing in Rio would mark a rare venture outside the U.S.; the franchise has only played one international regular-season game in its history—a 31-17 drubbing of the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium back in 2014.
Why Not Mexico or Melbourne?
Earlier this week, rumors swirled that Dallas might head to Melbourne, Australia, to help launch the league’s expansion into the Pacific. Those hopes were dashed quickly. Insiders confirmed Thursday that the Los Angeles Rams will host the Melbourne game, and they’ll be bringing an NFC West rival—likely the San Francisco 49ers—along for the ride.
As for Mexico, while Jerry Jones has repeatedly expressed love for the fanbase south of the border, the logistics didn’t align for 2026. Jones has historically fought tooth and nail to keep his home games at AT&T Stadium, the league’s most profitable venue. Surrendering a home date is a tough pill to swallow, but with the NFL mandating international rotation, Jones may prefer the global splash of a Rio debut over a return to familiar territory.
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
For the Cowboys, an international trip adds a wrinkle to an already brutal 2026 slate. Traveling to Brazil isn’t just a flight; it’s a logistical beast that disrupts sleep schedules and practice routines. If the league slots this for Week 1 (as they did with the Chiefs/Chargers in ’25), it gives Dallas a mini-bye to recover. If it lands mid-season, Mike McCarthy’s staff will need a masterclass in load management to avoid the dreaded “jet lag hangover” that has doomed teams in weeks following international play. Expect an official announcement from the league office before the draft in April.
