How Kansas City gears up for the 2026 World Cup

Kansas City prepares for the 2026 World Cup by enhancing services, advising on security, and implementing housing strategies. The articles collectively highlight initiatives that aim to handle the massive influx of visitors.

Kansas City officials warn against ticket scams and encourage purchasing through official FIFA platforms due to the prevalence of fake domains. Johnson County plans a new bus service linking key locations to Kansas City International Airport, designed initially for the World Cup but potentially as a permanent fixture.

Kansas City gears up to accommodate international teams with dedicated hotel and training facilities. Lastly, the city council has introduced a temporary short-term rental permit to allow residents to lease their homes via platforms like Airbnb during the World Cup.

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A banner featuring the Kansas City FIFA World Cup design is displayed during the One Year To Go press conference at Union Station on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Kansas City. By Emily Curiel

NO. 1: AS 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP TICKET PRESALES CONTINUE, BEWARE OF SCAMS AND FAKES

If you’re going to pay more than $11,000 for a ticket to a 2026 FIFA World Cup game in Kansas City next summer, be sure it’s not a fake. | Published November 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Blair Kerkhoff

The Oread hotel in Lawrence By Sarah Benson

NO. 2: FIFA IDENTIFIES TEAM HOTELS FOR NATIONS THAT PICK WORLD CUP BASE CAMP IN KC AREA

Not long after the 2026 World Cup draw is held on Dec. | Published November 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff

Chapel Hill will require property owners to get a zoning compliance permit starting Jan. 1, 2023, if they want to operate a short-term rental within town limits.

NO. 3: FOR A $50 FEE, YOU COULD PUT YOUR KANSAS CITY HOME ON AIRBNB DURING THE WORLD CUP

Kansas City is poised to allow residents another way to cash in on the World Cup. | Published November 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Higgins

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Johnson County will have a fleet of 50 buses for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. By Blair Kerkhoff

NO. 4: JOHNSON COUNTY TO LAUNCH NEW KCI BUS SERVICE FOR WORLD CUP. COULD IT STICK AROUND?

A new bus service linking Overland Park, Lenexa and Kansas City International Airport is expected to launch ahead of World Cup matches in Kansas City next year. | Published November 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nathan Pilling

Iraq, left, and Norway, right, have both qualified for FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be played in the U.S., Canada and Mexico ... including matches in Kansas City. The rest of the World Cup field will become known Dec. 5, 2025, via the World Cup Draw.

NO. 5: WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS PRODUCED SOME STUNNERS. HERE’S WHO COULD PLAY IN KC IN ‘26

With about 200 days remaining until World Cup games are played in Kansas City — and the draw for the 2026 tournament just two weeks away — the qualification process has concluded at the continental level. | Published November 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Sperry

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.