One terminal. One clock. One unforgettable kickoff to the 2026 World Cup

There are moments when the eyes of the world turn to one city. Today, they turned to Houston—and to the heart of its newest international terminal.

On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, exactly one year before the opening whistle of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Houston Airports flipped the switch on a massive digital countdown clock at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

Positioned inside Terminal D-West, the city's new, state-of-the-art international concourse, the clock now ticks down the final 365 days to the most-watched sporting event on the planet. It was a moment meant to move people, literally and figuratively.

At precisely 10 a.m., passengers gathered near the Harmony in the Air stage. The area pulsed with live music. Therapy dogs wove between travelers, and airport staff led a spontaneous dance party. Texas Tim, the airport’s unofficial cowboy-in-chief, greeted passengers with his signature caricature drawings, this time in soccer jerseys. When the final seconds were announced, a countdown led by Houston Airports Director of Aviation Jim Szczesniak echoed through the concourse, and the future lit up.

“This terminal is where the world connects,” said Szczesniak. “What better place to celebrate the global spirit of soccer than the very spot where international passengers arrive and depart? It’s symbolic, it’s strategic and it’s very Houston.”

While FIFA has a history of placing countdown clocks in public landmarks, Houston chose to install its clock inside an airport... and not just any terminal. Terminal D-West was purpose-built to welcome the world: an international gateway with modern amenities, expansive light-filled spaces and proximity to the freshly expanded Terminal E.

“There’s no better place to feel the momentum of the world’s biggest sporting event than right here,” said Andrew Czobor, assistant director of guest experience at IAH. “We’re not just moving people. We’re building excitement, starting at our international gates.”

For many travelers, this was no ordinary airport visit. Children danced to music, families snapped selfies with the countdown clock, and passengers paused long enough to watch a moment of history unfold.

“We’re curating an experience for travelers that reflects Houston’s dynamic, creative energy,” said Alton DuLaney, chief curator of cultural affairs for the City of Houston. “Art, music, culture—and now this incredible countdown moment. It’s a fusion of civic pride and global anticipation.”

Houston is already positioning itself as the ultimate hub for the tournament. In May, Houston Airports launched a first-of-its-kind interactive destination map on Fly2Houston.com. With just a tap, travelers can filter nonstop flights to all 16 host cities across the U.S., Mexico and Canada, directly from IAH and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).

The infrastructure is in place. The world is watching. And the countdown, officially, has begun. The digital clock may be mechanical, but its symbolism is unmistakable. It beats inside a terminal that greets the globe, reminding every passenger who passes by that Houston isn’t just part of the journey, it’s where the journey begins.

Visit www.fly2houston.com to explore nonstop destinations and plan your 2026 experience.