Welcome to Kansas City: The Heart of Soccer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Though some may refer to the Midwest as just a place to fly over, that hardly captures the rich culture here. Even without mountains or oceans, the residents are incredibly warm and inviting. If you’re gearing up for your trip to Kansas City for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, consider this a friendly welcome from the locals!

Kansas City, situated right in the heart of the United States, is the least populous city among the World Cup host cities. It’s interesting to note that the city has never hosted either the Olympics or the Super Bowl. So, this will likely be the most significant event in its history.

However, what Kansas City lacks in size, it more than compensates for with a deep-rooted passion for sports.

Often called the “Soccer Capital of America,” Kansas City proudly supports one of the 10 original MLS teams, Sporting KC, and even built the world’s first soccer stadium dedicated solely to a women’s franchise, the KC Currents. Besides its soccer legacy, the city is home to the Kansas City Chiefs, who have won the Super Bowl four times, as well as the Kansas City Royals, champions of the World Series twice.

Up until now, the biggest event in Kansas City was the 2023 NFL Draft. Held at the World War I Memorial lawn, it attracted over 312,000 fans. That was quite the success and really set the stage for welcoming international fans this summer for the World Cup.

Kansas City is ready for this moment, and visitors will soon discover all it has to offer.

Matches: Team, Date, Time, Stadium, TV Info

The Kansas City metropolitan area will serve as a base for four different countries during the World Cup. Here’s where you can find practicing teams:

• Argentina: Sports KC Training Center
• England: Swope Soccer Village
• Netherlands: KC Current Training Center
• Algeria: Rock Chalk Park, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

Kansas City not only serves as the training hub for these teams but will also host six games during the tournament, including a quarterfinal. All matches are set to take place at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, also known as “Kansas City Stadium.”

This iconic stadium holds the record for the loudest crowd noise in the NFL, clocking in at 142.2 dB, and has hosted four consecutive AFC Championship games from 2019 to 2023. Significant renovations were undertaken ahead of the World Cup, such as removing around 3,500 lower bowl seats and upgrading the lighting and sound systems to meet soccer regulations. The expected capacity during the World Cup is between 65,000 and 68,000.

With its storied history and enthusiastic fanbase, the stadium is primed to showcase the excitement of international competition.

• Argentina vs. Algeria (Group J): Tuesday, June 16, 8:00 PM CST, FOX
• Ecuador vs. Curacao (Group E): Saturday, June 20, 7:00 PM CST, FS1
• Tunisia vs. Netherlands (Group F): Thursday, June 25, 6:00 PM CST, FOX
• Algeria vs. Austria (Group J): Saturday, June 27, 9:00 PM CST, FS1

• Group K winner vs. third place from Groups D, E, I, J, or L: Friday, July 3, 8:30 PM CST, FOX

• Winner of Match 95 vs. Winner of Match 96: Saturday, July 11, 8:00 PM CST, FOX

Expect nearly a month filled with high-octane soccer, especially with the presence of international superstar Lionel Messi, who captains the Argentina national team. Argentina will be defending their title right here in the heart of America.

The Netherlands comes in with a strong reputation, having made it to the quarterfinals in the 2022 World Cup.

FIFA Fan Festival, Transportation, and Logistics

Apart from the matches, there’s a wealth of entertainment for fans to enjoy.

The FIFA Fan Festival will serve as a gathering place for soccer lovers to indulge in international food, entertainment, and a spirit of camaraderie. This free event will take place on the Liberty Monument lawn for 18 days, featuring headliners like Flo Rida, Kansas City native Tech N9ne, and The All American Rejects, among others.

Unfortunately, Kansas City isn’t particularly recognized for having an outstanding public transportation system; it’s more spread out than compact and walkable. Nonetheless, improvements have been made over recent years, and extra services will be available leading up to the World Cup. So, renting a car may not be necessary.

The Connect KC26 bus service has been introduced specifically for the World Cup, and it offers three routes: Airport Bus, Stadium Bus, and Regional Bus.

Airport service is complimentary, taking fans directly from Kansas City International Airport to downtown, just two blocks from the Fan Festival site. Typically, the airport is a 20-25 minute drive from the city center. On game days, Stadium Direct Passes are available for $15, and regional passes will allow fans to travel across various attractions at different rates, depending on whether it’s a daily, weekly, or World Cup pass.

The KC Streetcar is another convenient and free option for navigating Kansas City. It runs from River Market in the north to UMKC in the south, with several stops that make it easy to explore downtown and other districts without getting stuck in traffic.

Discovering Kansas City: Activities and Dining Options

There’s a vast array of attractions across Kansas City, and you won’t have to worry about where to eat—this place has some of the best barbecue in the country.

• Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium: Spanning over 200 acres, the zoo can easily fill a day’s itinerary. A new aquarium will open in 2023, showcasing a new giraffe exhibit.
• Union Station: This historic landmark hosts Science City, a planetarium, and various shops and restaurants. A significant exhibition about the Berlin Wall will be on display this summer.
• City Market: An outdoor market brimming with food and shopping options from around the globe. The Steamboat Arabian Museum is located here as well, featuring the remains of a steamship from the 1850s.
• Kansas City Royals: The team will have two homestands during the World Cup at the stunning Kauffman Stadium, conveniently adjacent to Arrowhead Stadium.

• National World War I Museum and Memorial: This is America’s largest official museum dedicated to World War I. It can occupy several hours of your time, and you shouldn’t miss the iconic Liberty Monument for breathtaking views.
• Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum: Learn about Missouri’s pivotal 33rd president by visiting his former home and museum in nearby Independence. You’ll want to budget a few hours for this visit.
• Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: A local icon filled with world-renowned artworks; take a free tour to explore.
• Negro League Baseball Museum: A must-see for sports fans, located in the historic 18th and Vine neighborhoods, right next to the American Jazz Museum!

If you ask five locals about their favorite barbecue place, you’re likely to get a variety of answers. Kansas City has a strong barbecue scene, and it’s a must-try for any visitor. Why limit yourself to just one place? Each restaurant claims to offer something special. Many spots even have multiple locations throughout the city.

Here are some popular barbecue restaurants (listed alphabetically so as to avoid any heated debates):

• Arthur Bryant’s Barbecue
• Charver
• Gate’s Bar-BQ
• Jack Stack BBQ
• Joe’s Kansas City Barbecue
• LC’s BBQ
• Q39
• Scotts Kitchen and Catering at Hangar 29
• Slap BBQ

Personally? I’m all about the Z-man sandwich from Joe’s. It’s possibly the best sandwich you’ll ever taste.

And Kansas City isn’t limited to just barbecue. If you want to switch it up, here are some other local favorites that are definitely worth checking out:

• Back Twee
• Mr. Galazzo
• Golden Ox
• The Peanuts
• Succotash
• Town Pick Hamburger

After enjoying a meal, you’ll likely be looking to quench your thirst. There are plenty of unique spots to explore.

• Boulevard Brewing Company
• KC Beer Company
• Messenger Coffee Company
• No Other Pub
• Pitch Side Coffee
• The Roastery

In summary, Kansas City has much to offer its soon-to-arrive international guests. While it may lack oceans and mountains, boredom won’t be an option here. Whether you’re in town for a few days or during the World Cup, there’s an abundance of activities, sights, and experiences awaiting in this lively metropolis at the heart of America.