2026 FIFA World Cup: Kansas City to Play Host to the World
By: Bryce Puntenney
International Soccer Fans to Descend on Kansas City
"What we keep hearing from other host cities is that the World Cup is like hosting a Super Bowl for 45 days instead of one."
In 2026, Kansas City will host the FIFA World Cup. Our city is one of only 16 cities across North America selected to host matches for the most prestigious sporting event in the world — and the most widely viewed.
Kansas City will hold six World Cup matches starting June 16, 2026, culminating with a quarterfinal match on July 11. All of the matches will be played on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs. According to Kimiko Gilmore (B.A. ’89), deputy city manager for Kansas City, Missouri, getting six matches, as well as the prestige of the quarterfinal, is a boon for the city.
“We thought we might get four, but six is amazing,” Gilmore said. “And hosting a quarterfinal is so important because you’re going to have some of the best teams in the world.”
It’s the first time Kansas City has hosted a World Cup, but there are several other firsts for the upcoming tournament. The 2026 World Cup is the first to feature an expanded field of 48 teams and 104 matches, up from 32 teams and 64 matches. It’s also the first to be held across three separate countries – Canada, Mexico and the United States.
“What we keep hearing from other host cities is that the World Cup is like hosting a Super Bowl for 45 days instead of one,” Gilmore said.
Preparing Kansas City for the international spotlight
In her more than 10 years working in the Kansas City government, Gilmore has helped plan some of the largest celebrations of sport the city has ever seen – the 2012 MLB All-Star Game, the 2015 World Series parade for the Royals, the 2023 NFL Draft and Super Bowl parades for the Chiefs in 2023 and 2024. With all those large scale events, she worked closely with the Kansas City Sports Commission.
The organization was formed to manage the city’s overall strategy with sports, ensuring that those efforts enhance public life for Kansas Citians. The organization is comprised of local leaders in business and sports, including Brandon Martin, Ed.D., UMKC vice chancellor and athletics director, as well as a number of UMKC alumni. Although those previous celebrations were complex, none have compared to the planning required for the World Cup.
“Those other events were all Kansas City, but this is the broadest coalition I’ve worked with,” Gilmore said. “The Kansas City Sports Commission brought together representatives from Kansas City government, the Chamber of Commerce, the Aviation Department and those across the state line from the Unified Government (of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas).”
According to Gilmore, the Kansas City Sports Commission, led by CEO Kathy Nelson, is running the show with the World Cup planning. The commission formed KC2026, a committee dedicated to the World Cup, with executive director Katherine Holland at the helm. Holland and the members of KC2026 have convened meetings over the last few years with key groups, including emergency management, aviation, transportation and others. Gilmore’s office is engaged with parks and recreation, public works, police and communications.
“We’re going to be on the world stage in a way we haven't been ever before. It sounds crazy, but I want Kansas City to be a destination for the world.”
- Kimiko Gilmore
Although KC2026 has been hard at work since the process began, several crucial decisions are made by FIFA, the governing body of international soccer. In February 2024, organizers learned how many matches they would host at GEHA Field. The logistics of transporting fans to the stadium is a huge part of what the KC2026 committee is planning — and learning the number of games they need to prepare for helps.
The next domino to fall will be finalizing the location for the FIFA Fan Festival. The outdoor festival will be a central point for thousands of fans to gather, watch games live and enjoy a variety of entertainment. According to Gilmore, planners have narrowed it down to two locations: the grounds at the World War I Museum or the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
“Either one would be great, but my pick is the Nelson because of the proximity to UMKC,” Gilmore said. “I think it would make for a beautiful backdrop to everything that’s happening here.”
From there, Gilmore and the KC2026 committee members will be able to target resources in preparation for the festival. They will also have a better understanding of the transportation needs of the thousands in attendance. Gilmore said the group is primed to take care of masses of people.
“During the next two years, I’m excited to test our infrastructure,” Gilmore said. “To talk to the community at every level, get them excited and educate everybody about the World Cup and the teams participating.”
Kansas City leaders experience the World Cup firsthand
Gilmore got a taste of what was to come when she visited the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where she traveled with a contingent from the Kansas City government. The group got a firsthand look at all the World Cup activities and a better idea of how the city needs to plan.
What stuck with Gilmore is how the skyline was transformed by the World Cup festivities. Skyscrapers were decorated top to bottom with images of international soccer stars that spanned some 40 floors. The experience also provided her with a better understanding of international soccer fans. She came away quite impressed.
“What surprised me was that the fans come out no matter who’s playing,” Gilmore said. “They’re going out to watch matches in coffee shops, celebrating in the streets. Everybody is completely engaged in the entirety of the World Cup.”
Gilmore said international soccer fans are already aware of the enthusiasm Kansas City shares for soccer. Kansas City’s soccer watch parties in the Power and Light District have been featured on many of the international broadcasts for events such as the 2022 Men’s World Cup and the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
“At the 2022 World Cup, when people found out where I was from, they were so excited,” Gilmore said.
Gilmore looks forward to showing off everything Kansas City has to offer.
“We’re going to be on the world stage in a way we haven't been ever before,” Gilmore said. “It sounds crazy, but I want Kansas City to be a destination for the world.”
"Over the next two years, I’m excited to talk to the community at every level, get them excited and educate everybody about the World Cup and the teams participating."
Photo credits: photos submitted by featured alumna