Renderings show how Arrowhead Stadium could look if KC lands World Cup games for 2026
In roughly five weeks, the host cities are expected to be announced for the joint 2026 World Cup bid among the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Washington Post’s Steven Goff recently reported that FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, likely will reveal those roughly 16 cities in New York in May.
Kansas City officials are hoping to hear the city has won the right to host games during the tournament, which is held every four years. FIFA officials have visited Kansas City to see the city’s amenities
FIFA was given information on infrastructure, public transportation, hotel space, training facilities and, of course, Arrowhead Stadium. That’s where any World Cup games would be played, and there would be some notable changes to be made beyond removing the football yard lines and Chiefs logo.
Seats would need to be removed from the corners of the lower level of the stadium, and space would be made for hospitality and seating of media.
The playing field would require a special ventilation system that would ensure the grass is the same as fields at the other World Cup venues, including those in Mexico and Canada.
After the World Cup, Arrowhead Stadium would have to be readied for American football again, and FIFA wouldn’t pay for any of those changes.
The Star acquired renderings that Kansas City officials sent to FIFA that show how Arrowhead Stadium might look for the World Cup. Here they are:
This story was originally published April 8, 2022 at 11:29 AM.
