Hundreds packed KC Live! watch party, showing Kansas City enthusiasm for 2026.
FIFA divided 48 nations into 12 groups during the draw announced Friday.
Arrowhead Stadium will host four group matches, a Round of 32 and quarterfinal.
If the scene around the KC Live! stage in the Power & Light District on Friday was any indication, Kansas City is hyped for the World Cup to come to town next year.
Despite the cold, hundreds packed the KC watch party for the 2026 World Cup draw. Onlookers cheered as FIFA divided the 48 participating nations’ soccer teams into 12 groups ahead of next year’s international tournament.
Fans cheer as the teams for Group J of the FIFA World Cup are announced during a watch party at the Power & Light District on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
On Saturday, matchups and an official schedule for the 72 group-stage games — including four to be played at Arrowhead Stadium (plus a Round of 32 match and quarterfinal later on) — will be announced.
The groups are set for the 2026 World Cup next summer. Kansas City will host games for groups E, F and J. Neil Nakahodo/The Star nnakahodo@kcstar.com
Fans cheer and lift scarves and flags during the FIFA World Cup draw watch party at the Power & Light District on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Children play on a mini-pitch in front of the stage during the FIFA World Cup draw watch party at the Power & Light District on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Kansas City, Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Ramon Rodriguez, a Mexico fan, cheers during the FIFA World Cup draw watch party at the Power & Light District on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Fans watch the World Cup draw on a big screen during a watch party at the Power & Light District on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
The FIFA World Cup logo is featured on a soccer ball during the FIFA World Cup draw watch party at the Power & Light District on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Blue, the Sporting KC mascot, poses for a photo with a Colombia fan during the FIFA World Cup draw watch party at the Power & Light District on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
A fan holds a replica FIFA World Cup trophy as the group teams are announced during the World Cup draw watch party at the Power & Light District on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Former Sporting Kansas City player Benny Feilhaber makes a guest appearance during the FIFA World Cup draw watch party at the Power & Light District on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas takes photos with guests during a FIFA World Cup draw watch party at the Power & Light District on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Colombia fans cheer as the teams for Group K of the FIFA World Cup are announced during a watch party at the Power & Light District on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Mexico fans cheer as they are interviewed by a journalist during the FIFA World Cup draw watch party at the Power & Light District on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
This story was originally published December 5, 2025 at 2:13 PM.
Emily Curiel, is a visual journalist at The Star. With a broad scope of coverage, Curiel navigates subjects including breaking news, sports, features and long-form narratives. She is a first-generation graduate from San Francisco State University and a native of Los Angeles.
Sports Pass is your ticket to Kansas City sports
#ReadLocal
Get in-depth, sideline coverage of Kansas City area sports - only $1 a month
