NFL International Series 2026: Cowboys Still Absent, Eagles Could Be Back on the Road
The NFL’s global footprint is growing, and the 2026 international series is shaping up to be one of the league’s most ambitious yet. With stops confirmed in London, Munich, Madrid, Melbourne, and Rio de Janeiro, the league is doubling down on its mission to bring American football to a worldwide audience.
One of the headline matchups? The New Orleans Saints are set to play in France, with the Cleveland Browns reportedly lined up as their opponent.
That game alone could feature a fascinating quarterback battle between Shedeur Sanders and Tyler Shough - two young signal-callers with very different styles and plenty to prove. It might not be the flashiest QB duel on paper, but it’s a chance for fans overseas to get a close look at two developing NFL talents in a unique setting.
As for the Eagles, there’s growing chatter that they could be among the teams heading overseas again in 2026. They didn’t make the trip in 2025, but they’ve already logged two international appearances - one in 2018 and another in 2024. That puts them in the middle of the pack when it comes to international exposure.
But here’s the real eye-opener: the Dallas Cowboys have only played one international game - and that was all the way back in 2014.
That’s right. America's Team, with all its global branding and massive fanbase, hasn’t left the country for a regular season game in over a decade.
Their lone appearance came in London, where they beat the Jaguars behind a sharp performance from Tony Romo (20-of-27, 246 yards, 3 TDs) and a monster day from Dez Bryant (6 catches, 158 yards). That Cowboys team went 12-4 and made a playoff run that ended in the divisional round against Green Bay, blowing a second-half lead in the process.
Since then? Nothing.
No Munich. No London.
No Mexico City. Not even a sniff of international travel.
When you sort the league’s international participation by total games and recency, the Cowboys sit at the bottom in both categories.
They’re not alone in that basement, though. Dallas is one of just four teams - along with Detroit, Cincinnati, and Houston - that haven’t played an international game since before the pandemic. Meanwhile, the Jaguars continue to lead the way with 14 international games under their belt, followed by the Dolphins (7), Vikings (6), and a handful of others like the Rams, Patriots, and Raiders who’ve played five.
The Eagles are part of a large group of teams that have played two international games, a tier that includes 14 franchises in total. That puts them right in the league’s middle ground - not overly exposed, but not hiding from the travel either.
At some point, though, the NFL is going to have to ask the Cowboys to step up. This isn’t about punishing teams - it’s about fairness and growing the game.
Dallas has the brand power, the star players, and the global recognition. They should be front and center in helping the league reach new markets.
Instead, they’ve been parked stateside for over ten years.
The international series is no longer a novelty. It’s a core part of the NFL calendar, and the Cowboys’ continued absence is starting to stand out - not just as a scheduling quirk, but as a genuine outlier.
So as we look ahead to another season of global games, one thing feels certain: it’s past time for Dallas to pack a bag. Whether it’s Paris, Madrid, or Melbourne, the Cowboys owe the international fans a live look.