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SportsBeat KC: We put our best foot forward (and hope we didn’t trip) in World Cup bid

Did Kansas City impress FIFA officials enough to win World Cup host status? We’ll find out in 2022.
Did Kansas City impress FIFA officials enough to win World Cup host status? We’ll find out in 2022. The Star

Kansas City’s day to present itself to FIFA officials arrived Thursday, with meetings, tours and, in true Kansas City spirit, a barbecue lunch.

So how did we do? We’ll know in early 2022. That’s when FIFA will announce the 11 winning U.S. cities among the 17 currently bidding to host World Cup games across North America in 2026.

On today’s episode of The Star’s daily sports podcast, SportsBeat KC, you’ll hear from FIFA officials Victor Montagliana and Colin Smith, as well as Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt and Sporting KC principal owner Cliff Illig.

You’ll also hear from Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian, who attended a Thursday afternoon news conference in the Power & Light District. They share their impressions of Kansas City as a World Cup site.

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Tour Kansas City and pass the BBQ sauce: FIFA officials check out our World Cup digs

Blair Kerkhoff
The Kansas City Star
Blair Kerkhoff has covered sports for The Kansas City Star since 1989. He was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
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