The KC2026 bid to bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup to Kansas City has announced the anticipated arrival of a delegation from FIFA to conduct a venue visit on Thursday, October 21.
Mayor Quinton Lucas shared the news earlier today as the KC2026 bid unveiled a KC Streetcar wrapped in bid branding to showcase the city's support for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
"This is a huge deal for Kansas City. This is something that can be a true game changer for our community," Lucas said. "I think we're going to be able to show everybody around the world how exceptional Kansas City is...(Let's) show what we already know about Kansas City. We are a major league city. We're a World Cup city.
"We're the type of place that folks will be excited to see not just on the 21st of October, but also after that, hopefully, for the 2026 World Cup. Everybody in the region and in both of our states are excited about the opportunities coming from the World Cup in the future."
"The FIFA World Cup is the largest single-sport event in the world. It is an incredible opportunity to represent the best of Kansas City and our region on the international stage," said Bid Director Katherine Fox. "(Oct. 21) will truly be a day for Kansas City to come together and display the hometown pride we've become so famous for.
"In addition to the amazing KC2026-branded streetcar...we've invested in digital billboards and other welcome signage to be displayed throughout the city. The downtown skyline will be lit in celebration of their visit and we encourage everyone to help create some social media noise using hashtag #KC2026."
Printable posters and social media graphics, in both English and Spanish, are available to download for soccer fans throughout the region to show their support for Kansas City's bid to bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup to the Midwest. In addition, individuals who would like to display a KC2026 sign at their home or business in downtown KC can pick up a free 18x24 poster while supplies last at the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce offices in Suite 301 on the third floor of Union Station from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Monday, Oct. 18.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico with an expanded field of 48 teams playing in host cities across North America. Kansas City is one of 17 Candidate Host Cities in the U.S. bidding to host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will welcome a delegation of FIFA representatives led by Concacaf President and FIFA Vice-President Victor Montagliani on October 21 as FIFA assesses bids prior to selecting host cities in 2022.
During each venue visit, the FIFA delegation holds meetings with local stakeholders, including city and stadium authorities. The visits also consist of inspections for essential infrastructure, such as stadiums, training facilities and potential FIFA Fan Festival sites.
Kansas City will be the first of eight cities on the inspection tour, scheduled for Oct. 21 to Nov. 1, along with Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Monterrey, San Francisco and Seattle. FIFA visited nine cities last month and will travel to the remaining venues by the end of November.
