World Cup teams still base-camping in Kansas City could meet in the semifinals
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Argentina and England were the only quarterfinal teams based in Kansas City.
- Argentina’s fans and Messi imagery were widespread across Kansas City.
- If Argentina or England reach the final, Kansas City will claim notable influence.
Kansas City’s time on the 2026 FIFA World Cup stage comes to an end Saturday night, but the road to the July 19 final could be heavily determined by KC’s presence in the tournament thus far.
Of the four teams that made their World Cup base camps in the Kansas City area — the Netherlands, Algeria, Argentina and England — only England and Argentina remain alive in the tourney’s quarterfinals.
With wins in the quarterfinals, Argentina and England would face each other in the semifinals in Atlanta for a spot in the World Cup’s championship game, which will take place at New York New Jersey (MetLife) Stadium one week from Sunday.
When star England defender Nico O’Reilly was asked about a preferred semifinal opponent on Thursday, he demurred.
“Not sure. I’m just focused on this (quarterfinal match),” he told reporters.
The “Three Lions” are laser-set on eliminating Norway, their quarterfinal foe. England faces a team led by Manchester City star Erling Haaland and players who compete on other English clubs. While some had hoped to see a rematch of the 2024 Copa America game at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium on Saturday, Argentina’s “La Albiceleste” instead drew Switzerland.
Argentina has already made its mark on Kansas City. The team’s vibrant fans are sprinkled across the city, and so is Lionel Messi’s face and influence. Players have been enjoying the local KC scene.
The defending champions are among the favorites to win it all again.
England hasn’t played a match in Kansas City, but players have visited the area’s restaurants, scrimmaged with Sporting KC and taken in a Royals game. But soccer is why the Brits are in America: England has hungered for a title since last winning the World Cup in 1966.
Whether the Brits and Argentinians will play each other in the semis remains to be seen. But if even one of the two sides is able to advance to the World Cup’s final four, Kansas City would add another strong footnote to its summer of international soccer.
