Sports

Another World Cup is coming to the United States, and Kansas City wants this one, too

New Zealand’s Kieran Read leaps to take the ball from Australia’s Israel Folau during the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham Stadium.
New Zealand’s Kieran Read leaps to take the ball from Australia’s Israel Folau during the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham Stadium. AP file photo

If there is a major sports event coming to the United States and requires a bid process, Kansas City is getting in line.

The NFL Draft arrives in 2023. The city is crossing its fingers in anticipation of the FIFA World Cup site announcement expected this summer.

Now, another World Cup has Kansas City’s attention.

Thursday, the World Rugby Council announced that the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup and the 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup have been awarded to the United States. Kansas City is among 25 cities expecting to bid for one or both.

Some four million fans are expected to attend the men’s and women’s events.

The Rugby World Cup is played in the fall and NFL stadiums are expected to be part of bidding.

World Cup sites before it comes to the U.S. for the first time: France in 2023 and Australia in 2027 for men; New Zealand in 2022, England in 2025 and Australia in 2029 for women.

The first World Cup was played in 1987 for the men and 1991 for the women.

This story was originally published May 12, 2022 at 12:00 PM.

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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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