Ecuador vs. Curaçao in KC: Live updates on World Cup match, traffic & more
It’s time for another global moment in Kansas City, and the question on everyone’s minds is if Game 2 will improve upon Game 1.
That might be a tall order on the field after Lionel Messi’s record-tying hat trick against Algeria led Argentina to victory on Tuesday.
But off the field, gridlock traffic and logistical issues at the stadium cast a pall over the first game that organizers say they have a plan to fix Saturday.
The match kicks off between Ecuador and Curaçao at 7 p.m. at Kansas City Stadium, usually known as Arrowhead. Ecuador is favored, not having lost in the two years leading up the World Cup.
The Star will be covering the event from the stadium and Fan Fest and bringing you updates here. Follow along all evening.
Still scoreless at halftime
After 45 minutes, neither team has been able to score a goal, which will be crucial to their ability to move forward in the Round of 32.
Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room is up to six saves, and both teams have taken several accurate shots.
The first half also brought two yellow cards in a matter of minutes, one against each team.
So the second half will bring more struggles to score, and perhaps a bit more caution when it comes to fouls.
‘A sea of yellow’
Thousands of Ecuador fans have turned the home of the Chiefs into something that looked and sounded a lot like a road game for Curaçao.
Decked out in matching yellow jerseys and chanting “si se puede” — “yes we can” — Ecuador supporters marched into the stadium hours before kickoff and never let up.
One stadium employee summed it up to a co-worker: “It’s a sea of yellow in here.”
A stadium official estimated only about 2,000 Curaçao fans made the trip, and while the blue-clad contingent was fired up, they were badly outnumbered by a South American fan base that turned Arrowhead into a de facto home venue.
Read more about the full scene from inside Arrowhead — including how the two fan bases came together for an early stadium wave and what is at stake for both teams coming off opening-match losses.
— Reporting by Kellis Robinett
Close, but no cigar
Both teams have had some missed goals so far. Defense is likely to be a major player in the game.
Ecuador has shot more goals, and met opposition from Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room, credited with 3 saves so far.
See the scene inside the game
Our photographers are in the stadium to capture all the action — including some pretty vibrant fan outfits.
It’s mainly a sea of Ecuador fans, but some Curaçao supporters are making their colors seen, too.
Other celebrities at Ecuador vs. Curaçao
After local royalty attending the Kansas City World Cup game on Tuesday in the form of Patrick and Brittany Mahomes, an actual king and queen are in town for today’s game.
But they’re not the only big names in the crowd.
So far, our crew has spotted Royals players Salvador Perez and Michael Wacha at the game.
We’ll be on the lookout for more.
King and queen at Arrowhead
Netherlands King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima have arrived at the stadium for the game.
They’re there to cheer on Curaçao, which is part of the kingdom of the Netherlands.
It is believed that Saturday’s royal visit will be the first time in 100 years that a sitting monarch has stopped in Kansas City. The last time was at the dedication of the city’s Liberty Memorial.
— Reporting by Pete Grathoff
Ecuador fans dominate
Yellow is the primary color at Kansas City Stadium, according to journalists waiting for the game to start.
Ecuador fans from all over have converged to see their team play, photos show.
Are changes helping with World Cup traffic?
Though the jury’s still out, our staff reports an easier time getting to Kansas City Stadium than Tuesday.
The journey from Crown Center took a car full of writers around 20 minutes, as opposed to more than an hour earlier in the week.
Signage is clearer, as is the traffic flow, our journalists say.
— Reporting by Vahe Gregorian
Left bags causing problems at Fan Fest
The Fan Festival has been packed, the watch parties are buzzing and the city is showing the world what KC hospitality looks like. But the Kansas City Police Department has a request for the soccer faithful streaming downtown: Stop ditching your bags in random spots around the venue.
In a Saturday social media post, KCPD said a “significant number of guests” have been showing up with bags that don’t meet the festival’s clear bag policy. When security turns them away at the gate, some fans are stashing their bags nearby — apparently planning to grab them later — and that’s creating a real headache for law enforcement, according to The Star.
“This creates a security issue, mandating a law enforcement response,” the department said, noting that every abandoned bag has to be thoroughly inspected before anyone can rule out a threat. Police said they’re disposing of non-compliant bags found around the venue.
If you’re planning to head down, check the bag rules before you leave the house.
— Reporting by Nathan Pilling
What to know about the matchup
The second of six FIFA World Cup matches at our stadium kicks off Saturday, June 20, and it features a classic David-versus-Goliath setup that should be fun to watch.
Ecuador, ranked No. 28 in the world, takes on Curaçao, No. 83, at 7 p.m. Central time. Both teams are coming off opening losses, but that’s about where the similarities end.
Curaçao is the smallest nation by both size and population ever to qualify for a World Cup — and the island team got steamrolled 7-1 by Germany in its opener, the worst result of any team in the tournament’s first week. Ecuador, meanwhile, dropped a tight 1-0 decision to Ivory Coast in Philadelphia on Sunday, snapping a two-year unbeaten streak that included a win over Argentina and draws against the U.S. and the Netherlands.
The smart money is heavily on Ecuador. ESPN lists La Tricolor as a minus-1000 favorite, meaning you’d need to wager $1,000 just to win $100. The over/under on total goals is set at 3 1/2.
Ecuador is built around a stingy defense — they gave up only five goals across 18 qualifying matches — but the question is whether they can finally find the back of the net against a Curaçao side that’s already shown it can be picked apart.
— Reporting by Blair Kerkhoff
How The Star is covering World Cup
The World Cup is expected to be by far the largest event to take place in Kansas City in recent years.
Organizers estimate 650,000 visitors will come to the metro area between June 11 and July 19. We are the smallest of the 2026 host cities.
This is a historic moment for our community. And historic moments are what The Star and our journalists do.
Our managing editor Hannah Wise shares about how The Star is covering the World Cup.
This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 5:53 PM.
