See how Kansas City fans kicked off World Cup at Fan Fest, watch parties
By Emily Curiel ,
Sophia Buonpane and
Eleanor Nash
The World Cup has arrived, though not officially in Kansas City. But you wouldn’t know it by fans’ enthusiasm on Thursday.
For the first match of the global tournament featuring Mexico and South Africa on Thursday afternoon, Kansas City soccer enthusiasts gathered at the FIFA Fan Festival at the National World War I Museum and Memorial, as well as in the Power & Light District and in Kansas City, Kansas.
As Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0, fans waved their flags, cheered and celebrated the major event that will hit Kansas City in a matter of days. The first game to be held in Kansas City will be Tuesday, June 16, between Argentina and Algeria.
Fans cheer while watching a FIFA World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa at the FIFA Fan Festival on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Fans stand in line to order drinks near the Bank of America booth while attending the FIFA Fan Festival on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Sabelo Mthembu, center, a South Africa fan, cheers with Mexico fans at the FIFA Fan Festival after Mexico's 2-0 win over South Africa on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Armando Moreno holds a replica of the FIFA World Cup trophy while attending the FIFA Fan Festival on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Mary Fdz poses for a photo near the Heart of America sculpture at the FIFA Fan Festival on Thursday, June 11, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Fans stand in line to take photos of the Coca-Cola fan zone while attending the FIFA Fan Festival on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Anthony Arzola, left, his son Anthony and wife Ana lounge on the grass while watching a FIFA World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa under the live plus canopy at the FIFA Fan Festival on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Shoppers browse FIFA World Cup mascot plush toys at the FIFA Store during the FIFA Fan Festival on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
A fan wears a Mexico-themed bucket hat while attending the FIFA Fan Festival to watch Mexico play South Africa on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Mexico fans sing the Mexican national anthem before watching a FIFA World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa at the FIFA Fan Festival on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
The Legacy Lounge is seen from the Live Plus area at the FIFA Fan Festival on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Mexico fans laugh as they stand near a large mister while attending at the FIFA Fan Festival on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Gerardo Moreno reacts to a play while watching a match between Mexico and South Africa during the FIFA Fan Festival on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Mexico fans Daniel Moreno, left, and Valentina Gutierrez lounge on the grass while watching a FIFA World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa under the live plus canopy at the FIFA Fan Festival on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Fans cheer after Mexico scores a goal in the second half of a FIFA World Cup match against South Africa while watching the game on a video screen at the FIFA Fan Festival on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Sin Tope performs at FIFA Fan Festival on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Mexico fans dressed in red, white and green leave the FIFA Fan Festival on Thursday, June 11, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
People attend the FIFA Fan Festival on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Mexican fans watch World Cup game at Power & Light
In the Power and Light District, fans mingle underneath flags of countries participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. June 11, 2026. Eleanor Nash enash@kcstar.com
A child chases an inflatable soccer ball at the Power and Light District before the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mexico bested South Africa 2-0. June 11, 2026. Eleanor Nash enash@kcstar.com
Mario Silva (left) and Jorge Garcia pose in lucha libre masks at the Power and Light District watch party for the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mexico bested South Africa 2-0. June 11, 2026. Eleanor Nash enash@kcstar.com
Jay Toon shows off his Mexico scarf, a giveaway from the Power and Light District. The Olathe resident took off work to attend the FIFA World Cup watch party. June 11, 2026. Eleanor Nash enash@kcstar.com
Jesus Ramirez poses with 7-month-old Gwendolyn Ramirez at the Power and Light District. The pair wore Mexico jerseys to the watch party for the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. June 11, 2026. Eleanor Nash enash@kcstar.com
Watch party in Kansas City, Kansas
KCK Mexico v. South Africa Watch Party hosts at Memorial Hall on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Sophia Buonpane sophiabuonpane@kcstar.com
David Hemphill chases a blow up soccer ball as they wave a South African flag in the air at the KCK Mexico v. South Africa Watch Party hosts at Memorial Hall on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Sophia Buonpane sophiabuonpane@kcstar.com
Art in Motion, a multi art dance group preforms at KCK's Mexico v. South Africa Watch Party at Memorial Hall on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Sophia Buonpane sophiabuonpane@kcstar.com
World Cup fans enter the KCK Mexico v. South Africa Watch Party hosts at Memorial Hall on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Sophia Buonpane sophiabuonpane@kcstar.com
Mother, Irma, left, and daughters, Amanda and Samantha Ramirez cheer after Mexico scores the first goal of the game at the KCK Mexico v. South Africa Watch Party hosts at Memorial Hall on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Sophia Buonpane sophiabuonpane@kcstar.com
Fernando Ramirez holds up their Mexican Flag and gestures a number one with his hand after Team Mexico's first goal at the KCK Mexico v. South Africa Watch Party hosts at Memorial Hall on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Sophia Buonpane sophiabuonpane@kcstar.com
Lisa Aquino waves their flag as they cheer on the performers at the KCK Mexico v. South Africa Watch Party hosts at Memorial Hall on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Sophia Buonpane sophiabuonpane@kcstar.com
This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 6:22 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.
