Kansas City readies for 2026 World Cup with major upgrades

Kansas City is actively preparing for its World Cup debut in 2026.

Local leaders are investing in critical infrastructure like a new fleet of 200 buses to tackle transportation bottlenecks, aiming to move thousands of visitors swiftly between Arrowhead Stadium, the airport and major fan zones. Funding requests such as Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe's push for an additional $40 million reflect the scale of upgrades required for security and transit.

Civic groups and officials are also discussing projects like illuminating the storied KCTV tower, which will offer Kansas City a bold new skyline icon as fans arrive. The massive event also positions Kansas City as a potential destination for future global tournaments, building on the momentum from the FIFA World Cup.

NO. 1: THIS TOWERING KC LANDMARK DESERVES TO SHINE AGAIN, ESPECIALLY WITH WORLD CUP ON THE WAY

A Kansas City icon used to “glow against the night for miles and miles around.” Can it ever light up again? | Published July 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Vahe Gregorian

Players from the East High School soccer team kick a ball around at the National WWI Museum and Memorial on Wednesday, Aug 14, 2024. The venue was announced as the location of the FIFA Fan Festival for the 2026 World Cup matches in Kansas City. By Dominick Williams

NO. 2: FIGURING OUT TRANSIT FOR WORLD CUP IN KC IS NO SMALL TASK. TAKE IT FROM THE GUY IN CHARGE

A company that had a key role planning for bus service at the World Cup in Qatar now has Kansas City as a client. | Published October 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mike Hendricks

Kansas City soccer fans packed the KC Live! venue at the Power & Light District last summer and learned that the city would be one of the host locations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

NO. 3: AS KANSAS CITY READIES FOR 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP, THERE’S A VITAL VARIABLE TO SUCCESS

How is Kansas City preparing to host World Cup games in 2026? And what’s the next step? | Published December 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Vahe Gregorian

The celebration kicked into high gear when Kansas City was named one of the sites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Soccer at KC Live in the Power & Light District in 2022. By Rich Sugg

NO. 4: MISSOURI GOV. MIKE KEHOE WANTS $40M MORE FOR KANSAS CITY WORLD CUP EFFORT. IS IT ENOUGH?

The sprawling soccer tournament will test Kansas City like few events ever have. | Published January 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Shorman Kacen Bayless

NO. 5: JOHNSON COUNTY PROPOSES AIRPORT TRANSIT FOR ‘COMPLETELY UNPRECEDENTED’ WORLD CUP CROWDS

With less than 500 days until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Johnson County is exploring how to expand its transit system to help tackle one of the Kansas City metro’s biggest challenges that will come with the crowds next summer — including a potential bus service to the airport and a route from the county to the soccer festivities.“I’d be lying to you if I said that anybody truly understands what that volume of people is going to look like,” Johnson County Transit Director Josh Powers said during a recent committee meeting. | Published February 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Taylor O’Connor

NO. 6: HERE’S HOW MOST VISITORS WILL GET AROUND KANSAS CITY FOR FIFA WORLD CUP IN 2026

Routes to matches, fan fests, airport and hotels will be added to the city’s bus system. | Published March 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Blair Kerkhoff

Here’s the logo for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2031 and Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2033 in the United States.

NO. 7: WHY STOP AT ONE WORLD CUP WHEN KANSAS CITY COULD HOST 3 OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS?

The international Rugby World Cups are looking for U.S. host cities for the men’s and women’s tournaments in 2031 and 2033. | Published March 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Blair Kerkhoff

The celebration kicked into high gear when Kansas City was named one of the sites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Soccer Thursday evening at KC Live in the Power & Light District. The list of United States cities that will play host to FIFA World Cup games in 2026 includes Kansas City, the world’s soccer governing body announced on Thursday. Kansas City is one of the U.S. cities awarded games for the global event that will be co-hosted with Mexico and Canada. By Rich Sugg

NO. 8: HOW WORLD CUP 2026 OFFICIALS ARE PREPPING FOR SECURITY CONCERNS, IN KANSAS CITY AND BEYOND

This will be the first World Cup where FIFA oversees security concerns and event planning. | Published March 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by PJ Green

General view of the World Cup trophy before the championship match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 between the United States and the Netherlands at Stade de Lyon. By Michael Chow

NO. 9: WOMEN’S WORLD CUP IS COMING TO U.S. IN 2031. COULD KANSAS CITY BE A HOST CITY?

The 2031 Women’s World Cup will be played in the United States and other CONCACAF nations. Will Kansas City be a host city? | Published April 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.