World Cup Drives North Texas Investment in AI for 911

As North Texas prepares to host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, regional emergency communications officials are adopting artificial intelligence to improve 911 response during an expected surge in multilingual emergency calls.

In December 2025, the North Central Texas Emergency Communications District (NCT9-1-1) authorized a pilot project to deploy AI-powered translation, transcription and quality control tools to support emergency dispatch operations. A board resolution approved contracts with GovWorx Inc.; Invictus Apps Inc. (doing business as Prepared); and RapidDeploy Inc., a Motorola Solutions company, with a total allocation of up to $300,000 for implementation and pilot operations.

The resolution identifies the 2026 World Cup as a key driver of the project and authorizes the use of cooperative purchasing agreements through the North Central Texas Council of Governments to expedite deployment.

Regional planners expect large crowds and increased demand for translation services, particularly in Arlington, where AT&T Stadium is scheduled to host nine World Cup matches, including a semifinal. According to NCT9-1-1, emergency calls during the tournament could involve 20 to 30 different languages.

The AI system is intended to automatically identify the language spoken by a 911 caller and connect the caller to an appropriate interpreter, reducing the time required to initiate translation services and improving response efficiency during high-volume periods.

Dispatch leaders emphasize that real-world call volume and caller needs will ultimately determine how the system is used once active. Additional system testing and preparations are expected in the months leading up to the tournament.