Demolition surprises – Sweden midfielder Besfort Zeneli said the visible demolition at Toyota Stadium made it seem like a storm had struck. FC Dallas says the work was planned and controlled within an active construction zone, done using a pull-down method with no explosives and no
FRISCO, Texas — Sweden’s World Cup base camp looked like it had been hit by a storm, at least for a few minutes.
During a training session Wednesday night. Sweden midfielder Besfort Zeneli and teammates noticed mangled metal and other demolished construction material on one side of Toyota Stadium. the home of MLS team FC Dallas. “I just thought. ‘what happened?’ As far as I knew there hadn’t been any storm. ” Zeneli told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.
The confusion came from a scheduled renovation job taking place nearby. The demolition work had been carried out earlier in the day, part of a years-long renovation project at Toyota Stadium. That area has been blocked off since before Sweden started using the stadium as its base camp. after arriving in the United States in early June.
Even with the barriers in place, the latest demolition—highly visible from the team’s side—still caught players off guard when they arrived for training ahead of Sweden’s final Group F match against Japan.
FC Dallas said in a statement Thursday that the work “was part of a planned and controlled demolition within an active construction zone.” The statement added that the work was conducted using a pull-down demolition method and did not involve explosives. No one was injured.
The construction is not affecting Sweden’s access or match preparations. The blocked area has had no impact on the pitch or any facilities being used by the team in Frisco, Texas, about 30 miles north of downtown Dallas.
The renovation project is being completed in phases. FC Dallas has said the work began in early 2025, with full completion expected before the start of the 2028 MLS season. FC Dallas is still playing regular-season games at the stadium during the renovation.
Sweden World Cup base camp FC Dallas Toyota Stadium renovation planned demolition pull-down demolition method Besfort Zeneli Group F match against Japan
Storm?? like everyone just saw metal and assumed the worst lol.
So wait they demolish stuff right next to the team and nobody tells them? I get it was planned but still, “mangled metal” would freak me out too.
Pull-down demolition with no explosives sounds like PR talk. Like how is it not still dangerous if it looks like something crashed? Also 2028 completion?? that’s forever.
This is why I don’t trust construction sites. They said barriers were up but the Sweden guys still saw it from their side so it’s not like they were “invisible.” And if Sweden’s access is fine then why is everyone acting like it was a disaster? Frisco always doing the most.