World-Class Event Inspires a World-Class University
UMKC community jumps with excitement for FIFA World Cup
BY EMMA FAHRLANDER
Miguel Fernandez, business administration student and midfielder for the Kansas City Men’s Soccer team at UMKC. PHOTO / BRANDON PARIGO
It was a warm day in June 2023 as the city held its breath while FIFA announced the list of host cities throughout North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Sure enough, Kansas City, the proclaimed “Soccer Capital of America,” was close to the top of the list.
The energy buzzed as people shared the good news in person and online: we’re going to have the world’s biggest sporting competition right here in our beloved Arrowhead Stadium.
This was through no small effort of KC2026, the nonprofit that worked tirelessly to bring this event to America’s Heartland.
“The World Cup dwarfs anything we've ever seen before,” said Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026. “More people will watch the average World Cup match than the Super Bowl. We have six matches here in Kansas City, including the quarterfinal. This is a big deal. If not hundreds of millions, billions of people will see Kansas City, maybe for the first time ever.”
As Kansas City’s Carnegie Research 1 university, UMKC is also feeling the electric air around this event a mere eight miles away from our Volker Campus.
“It’s amazing to have the biggest soccer tournament in the world here in Kansas City, where we live,” said Miguel Fernandez, a business administration student and midfielder for the Kansas City Men’s Soccer team at UMKC. “We're very excited to see who's playing here.”
Fernandez and his teammate Jeremy Francou, striker and communications student, are both international students; Fernandez is from Spain and Francou is from France. They usually spend their summers back home, catching up with family and friends, but the World Cup has them rethinking summer plans.
Jeremy Francou, communications student and striker for the Kansas City Men’s Soccer team at UMKC. PHOTO / BRANDON PARIGO
“It would be amazing to get a photo with some of the French national players,” Francou said, an opportunity too sweet to pass up.
UMKC faculty and staff who live near Kansas City are also finding ways to get involved. Rachel Livingston, assistant in the School of Humanities and Social Science’s dean’s office, threw her hat in the ring, hoping to volunteer at the Kansas City festivities. Getting to be a part of a worldwide phenomenon like the World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“I have a feeling the atmosphere will be infectious,” Livingston said. “Like back-to-back Chiefs Super Bowl wins infectious.”
She would love an opportunity to cheer on the U.S. National team but has also been a fan of the Italian national team since childhood.
Jill Folsom, who supports the economics department at UMKC, is a fledgling soccer fan who fell in love with the Kansas City Current when its stadium became the first dedicated to professional women’s sports in the world. She’s excited for visiting fans to see what Kansas City has to offer in addition to the World Cup.
“We have the museums, the theaters and the Jazz District, all of these things people think can’t even exist in the Midwest,” Folsom said. “I hope people come and see all the world-class attractions and amenities we have to offer in Kansas City.”