The Jag

Addison Coffey

Reporter

Kansas City is getting ready for a never-before-seen moment as it prepares to host six matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It’s bringing a ton of attention to the area, along with hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world. 

For a city known for loving soccer, this is the biggest sporting event Kansas City has ever taken on. The games will happen all through June and July, including both group stage and knockout round matchups.

Students around Kansas City are excited too. For many teens, this may be the only time in their lives the World Cup happens so close to home. Many are planning to go to the fan festival, attend watch parties, or even try to get tickets. 

Junior Mason Shaver, lifelong soccer fan, said he was going to attend a game because it gives him a once in a lifetime chance of seeing the most famous sports tournament in the world. 

“The World Cup will have a big impact on students,” Shaver said, “It will inspire athletes and shows that nothing is impossible if you have passion.” 

Teachers are just as excited as students, including social studies teacher and soccer coach Michael Brown, who has followed the tournament for years. 

“I’m so excited,” he said. “I went to 2 games in 1994 when the World Cup was in the USA. So I’m excited for my kids to experience the same things as kids as well. We’re going to a few games in KC and will be going to a game in Mexico as well” 

Brown says he will be cheering for multiple teams during the tournament. 

“I’m cheering for the USA. But my family is from England so I’ll be pulling for them as well” 

He has already experienced the World Cup atmosphere firsthand. 

“Went to two games in 1994. One in Chicago, one in Dallas” 

Looking ahead to 2026, Brown hopes the event will leave a lasting impact. 

“I’m most excited for non-soccer fans to see how great soccer is up close,” he said. “The passion fans will bring from all over the planet will be on display for all of the US. My hope is that the sport and soccer fandom grows significantly after the World Cup.” 

Kansas City will host group stage matches on June 16, 20, 25, and 27, plus a Round of 32 game on July 3 and a quarterfinal match on July 11. That makes the city one of the busiest host locations in the country. Some of the teams coming include Ecuador, Curaçao, and Tunisia which is huge for local fans. Kansas City is hosting Argentine, England, The Netherlands, and Algeria for training and playing. Officials expect around 650,000 visitors during the event, meaning Kansas City is going to feel more crowded and energetic than usual. 

To give everyone something to do outside the stadium, the city is also planning a free FIFA Fan Festival at the National WWI Museum and Memorial. It will run on select days in June and July and include food, live entertainment, themed events, and places to watch the games on big screens. The goal is to make the entire event feel like a giant celebration that anyone can join. 

For Brown, the World Cup is not just about sports—it connects to what he teaches in the classroom as well. 

“Last World Cup, AP History did a one day activity looking at the political history of USA & Iran before the US soccer team played a game against the Iranian team.” 

He also reflected on some of his favorite past World Cup moments. 

“The 2022 World Cup final was one of the best games of soccer ever,” he said. “The 2006 WC Final and the headbutt is unforgettable. Seeing France of the late 1990s and Brazil of the early 2000s will be some of the most talented teams ever assembled.” 

And while he is realistic about the competition, he remains hopeful for the U.S. team. 

“Seeing the USA make it far would be amazing. I’m not sure we have the talent to do so but I’m hopeful the crowd can cheer them on to success!” 

Joe Reardon, a member of the KC2026 Board, emphasized the impact the event will have on the city. 

“Students, families, and residents will get to experience that same energy — that sense of global community — without ever leaving home. It’s powerful, and it stays with you.”

Reardon has been closely involved in preparing the region for the World Cup. 

“The biggest challenge has really been coordination,” he said. “Kansas City isn’t just one city — it’s two states, multiple counties, and a lot of communities working together. That can make planning more complex than in other places.” 

The main topic that Kansas City has been working on is the city’s transportation. 

“Transportation has been a major focus because we want visitors to move around easily while keeping daily life manageable for residents.” 

Even with those challenges, Reardon believes Kansas City is ready. 

“Preparation and communication are key,” he said. “We’re learning from other host cities and building detailed plans around traffic, transit, and safety so people know what to expect ahead of time.” 

He added that Kansas City has handled big events before. 

“We hosted the NFL Draft and major tournaments, and those moments didn’t overwhelm us — they brought energy to the community.” 

Reardon said what really stands out is the way the community works together. 

“Teams are looking for a place that’s safe, organized, and welcoming — where they can focus and prepare,” he said. “When international groups visit here, they see alignment across the community. That makes a strong impression.” 

As preparations ramp up, Kansas Senator Dinah Sykes—a member of the KC2026 Board that has helped lead Kansas City’s World Cup planning—has played an important role behind the scenes.  

Sykes serves on the board that guides regional efforts for the 2026 tournament, supporting work that leads to transportation, city readiness, and overall coordination. 

The KC2026 Board has spent years organizing the logistics needed for an event of this scale, including transportation planning, security discussions, stadium updates, and ensuring the city can manage the massive influx of visitors expected this summer. 

“Preparing for the World Cup has been such an experience,” she said. “Dealing with of all the aspects that go into hosting an event is difficult, but the community around us is really what makes it better.” 

As the World Cup gets closer, Kansas City is working hard to make sure it’s ready. This isn’t just a big sports moment—it’s something that will bring the whole city together. With fans flying in from all over the world, events happening across town, and excitement growing by the day, Kansas City has the chance to show everyone what makes it special. 

“For a few weeks, the world will be here,” Reardon said.