The U.S. men’s national team is coming to Kansas City. Here are the details

As Kansas City continues its bid to host the 2026 World Cup, it will have an opportunity to showcase its merit.

The United States men’s national team is returning to Children’s Mercy Park next summer as part of a 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage doubleheader, the organization announced Tuesday. It will be the Americans’ first trip to Kansas City in more than three years.

After opening the Gold Cup group stage in Minnesota, the United States will move to Cleveland and then conclude group play at Children’s Mercy Park on June 26. The opponent has not yet been determined. The venue, which is one of 15 stadiums that will be used for the tournament, will also host another match that same day.

It will be something of a rehearsal for Kansas City, which is a candidate to host the 2026 World Cup that has already been awarded to North America.

Arrowhead Stadium is on a short list of potential venues to host the world’s largest sports tournament, contested every four years. The final list is expected to be announced in 2020.

The United States is unbeaten in seven matches in Kansas City, its most recent match a 4-0 victory against Bolivia at Children’s Mercy Park in May 2016. The trip next June will be the team’s third as part of the Gold Cup competition.

Sam McDowell

Sam McDowell covers Sporting Kansas City, the Royals, Chiefs and sports enterprise for The Star

This story was originally published October 9, 2018 at 10:32 AM with the headline "The U.S. men’s national team is coming to Kansas City. Here are the details."