The Dallas Cowboys are going international for the first time since 2014, and now we know who they'll face.
The Dallas Cowboys already knew they will be playing in Rio de Janeiro in 2026, but now they know the opponent and time.
The Baltimore Banner reported that Dallas will face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3, with the game played at the historic Maracanã Stadium.
It will be the NFL's first venture into Rio, but third game played in Brazil overall. The Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers played in 2024 and the Kansas City Chiefs matched up with the Los Angeles Chargers last season, both in São Paulo.
According to the league's football operations department, the Cowboys-Ravens game will be "be part of an NFL record nine international games in 2026 across four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums." It will also be the first of at least three games played in Rio over the next five seasons.
"Introducing one of the League’s most iconic teams to the Maracanã Stadium marks a powerful milestone in the continued growth of the sport worldwide," said NFL Brazil general manager Luis Martinez of the Cowboys.
Or, dare I say, "South America's Team."
Martinez added: "Bringing a regular-season game to Rio strengthens our connection to a vibrant and passionate football community and underscores our long‑term commitment to the market."
Dallas is classified the home team in this international affair, meaning they will sacrifice one game from the schedule that would've been held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
This will be the Cowboys' first home game on foreign soil, and 12th international game total. Dallas has not played internationally since beating the Jacksonville Jaguars in London in 2014.
The Cowboys' other home contests will feature the NFC East rivals (Washington Commanders, Eagles, New York Giants), as well as the Arizona Cardinals, Jaguars, Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Baltimore is coming off an 8-9 season in which they started the year 1-5. Two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson missed four games due to injury.
Later this summer, the Cowboys' home in Arlington will be renovated to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Major construction is currently being done to lay a field of real grass, though Jones has stated that the team will revert back to its traditional turf for the NFL season.
Rio's Maracanã Stadium was the site of the 1950 and 2014 World Cups. It also held the opening ceremony for the 2016 Olympics.
