Earlier in February, the NFL announced its commitment to bring regular-season games to Rio. And what better way to kick off this partnership with the league’s biggest international market, with over 7.2 million fans, than flying America’s Team there? The Dallas Cowboys game is one of the record nine international games of the 2026 season and is already historic for many reasons:

One, it would be the first time an American football game is played in Rio and its Maracanã Stadium, typically the home pitch of several of Brazil’s soccer clubs. Two, it is the first time since 2014 that the Cowboys will be a part of the NFL’s international series. While it was always known that the Cowboys would be kicking off the series, other details weren’t out. But the league just announced its opponents, and this competition is going to be fiery for a very personal reason for quarterback Dak Prescott.

While we are still waiting on the complete schedule, the NFL announced on Friday that the Cowboys will be hosting the Baltimore Ravens at the iconic Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The game is scheduled for a 3:25 p.m. CT kickoff on CBS and Paramount+. But here’s why it will be a test for Prescott…

In 2023, the Ravens’ quarterback, Lamar Jackson, and Prescott were going head-to-head in the league MVP race. The latter led the NFL in completions and touchdowns among other statistics to clinch his first NFL MVP honor. But Jackson pulled ahead for his second title. Last season’s performances for both only add more fuel to the Rio game.

Both the Ravens and the Cowboys failed to perform in the 2025 season, missing playoff berths. And while Jackson missed some games due to his injuries, he is the reason why Baltimore remains a contender. Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ defense failed, but their offense, led by Prescott, was the ninth-best in the NFL. The team has now retooled its defense, and the offense needs to be just as productive to turn this road game into a litmus test of where Prescott would stand this season.

Interestingly, until December 2025, owner Jerry Jones was reluctant to have an international game. Of course, there’s too much money to host a game at the AT&T Stadium. And once he knew he didn’t have a say, he still wanted the game to be in Mexico, where there are more Cowboys fans. However, the NFL had made up its mind.

“We’re thrilled and honored to be part of Rio’s first NFL game,” Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones said in a statement. “Playing in the legendary Maracanã Stadium against the Ravens in front of such a passionate and growing fan base on a global stage will be very special for our team, our entire Cowboys organization, and the millions watching back home and around the world.”

The league has been looking to increase its footprint across the world, and the 2026 international series would be a big step in helping the cause.

The NFL’s vision for international games and the Cowboys’ streak

The league has been hosting international games since 2005. The first-ever game was between the Cardinals and the 49ers in Mexico. This expansion creates new opportunities for marquee teams like the Cowboys.

While one is in Rio de Janeiro, the NFL will host the other eight games in London (U.K.), Madrid (Spain), Melbourne (Australia), Mexico City (Mexico), Munich (Germany), and Paris (France). When the concept was first introduced in the NFL, it was just one game a season. But in over two decades, that popularity has exploded. The Cowboys, taking a big part of America to Rio, will only help accentuate it.

It will be the team’s first time playing in South America. Previously, they played at Wembley Stadium in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10 of the 2014 season. The Cowboys won 31-17, with quarterback Tony Romo and wide receiver Dez Bryant putting up a dominant performance. The latter was explosive, putting 158 receiving yards and two touchdowns on the scoreboard in just six receptions. 

This time, Jerry Jones’ team will be playing against the Ravens. The Dallas Cowboys last faced the Baltimore Ravens in the regular season on September 22, 2024, when the Ravens won 28-25. The two teams also met in the 2025 preseason game on August 16, where Baltimore won 31-13.

The Cowboys’ lone victory against the Ravens in seven meetings came in 2016. Then, a rookie Dak Prescott led the team to a 27-17 win in his first game against the Ravens. He scored three touchdowns for 301 passing yards with a 75 percent pass completion rate. Now, he gets another go at breaking the Ravens’ winning streak over them.

Dak Prescott is excited to face Lamar Jackson in his first international NFL game

In his decade-long NFL career, Dak Prescott has never had the chance to play in an international game. Of course, it is because he entered Dallas two years after their last international matchup. However, he will finally check that box in his eleventh season.

“Super excited,” Prescott said about playing in Brazil back in February. “Being 10 years in the league and I hadn’t played an international game, I’m excited for the travel. Just excited to go and play with the Cowboys across the world, just give the fans in Rio and Brazil a chance to see us in person, and just super excited for the experience.”

Beyond the experience, the game offers Dak Prescott an early-season test against the Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. While the international stage is set, the Dallas Cowboys still await the full schedule to be released in mid-May. What they can prepare for is a sneaky team in the Ravens to give themselves a full advantage in this international home game.