In just over two years, Kansas City will host six games as part of the FIFA World Cup, the largest sporting event in the world.
There is still a significant amount of work that needs to be done to ensure the success of the event, both at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium and in the surrounding area. Although it may seem far off, the reality is that there are many tasks that still need to be completed.
According to Joe Reardon, the president and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the work is currently underway and is increasing in intensity.
Moving thousands, if not tens of thousands, of long-term tourists in, around, and out of the city poses significant challenges for Kansas City. The logistics of accommodating, transporting, and providing healthcare for these visitors are among the sectors that require careful consideration.
Sporting Kansas City Manager and Sporting Director Peter Vermes, a former player in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, emphasized the extensive preparations required by the city. He stated, “There is a significant amount of work that needs to be done to ensure readiness. However, I can guarantee that we will be fully prepared for this World Cup.”
Kansas City could potentially become a favored base camp for certain teams due to its convenient central location and manageable travel logistics.
Arrowhead will host a total of six games, with two of them being knockout-round matches. The KC 2026 committee is currently prioritizing these games.
“The games will be a significant undertaking, but we believe they will be fantastic,” stated Jake Reid, CEO of Sporting KC and a board member of KC 2026. “However, our main focus right now is on what happens before and after the games.”
The KC 2026 Committee’s main responsibilities include raising funds and organizing the logistical aspects of preparing Kansas City and the surrounding region to host World Cup teams and games.
The decision on the location of FIFA Fan Fest is expected to be announced as early as this spring.
The committee is also serving as the region’s connection to FIFA and is open to teams that are considering Kansas City as a potential base for their World Cup stay in North America, provided they qualify for the expanded field.
One of the key concerns in the context of transportation for soccer fans is the establishment of an efficient and dedicated system to facilitate their movement within the city.
Reardon admitted that there is still work to be done in terms of the logistical aspects of the World Cup experience on the ground. One major area of focus is transportation, specifically the challenge of moving hundreds of thousands of people around Kansas City during the month-long event. This is in addition to the regular day-to-day transportation operations in the city.
The committee acknowledges the importance of keeping Kansas City running smoothly to accommodate both its residents and the influx of tourists drawn in by soccer.
According to Karen Daniel, the President of the KC 2026 Board, there are several community activities that require our attention and support. The board is currently working on identifying the specific needs of these activities so that they can reach out to potential contributors and ask for their assistance.
Missouri has already allocated $50 million to support the renovation of Arrowhead Stadium. As per FIFA regulations, the stadium will need to temporarily remove some seats in order to accommodate the larger field size.
The committee has been relatively quiet in its inaugural year, but that is about to change.
According to Reid, he believes that the year 2024 will be significant in terms of making important decisions. He emphasizes the importance of executing and preparing for these decisions throughout 2025 and the first part of 2026.
The committee’s primary responsibility is to ensure that the World Cup brings about transformative changes in Kansas City rather than being just another event passing through the city.
“We have always emphasized that if everyone simply reflects on how great the last quarterfinal was without leaving a lasting impact, then we have failed in our mission,” Reid expressed. “It is crucial for us to determine what the legacy of that moment should be.”
In the world of blogging and copywriting, having exceptional skills in English is crucial. As an outstanding copywriter and skilled blogger, my expertise lies in re-writing given texts. I will transform the provided text into a more human-like and engaging version, while adhering to the original writing style. It is important to note that I will not skip any paragraphs or headings, and I will not add any new information. Additionally, I will maintain the integrity of quotes, anecdotes, and statements. Let’s get started with the re-writing process!
