How Kansas City, a seemingly unlikely location, became a World Cup hotspot
Kansas City, with its rich history, has drawn in traders and mobsters; jazz legends and barbecue pitmasters; as well as Taylor Swift. It is now getting ready to host some of the finest soccer players in the world, along with their passionate fans.
Kansas City is the smallest among the 11 U.S. host cities for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19. However, three of the leading seeds—Argentina, England, and the Netherlands—have selected it as their base.
This Midwestern city will become a temporary haven for affluent soccer players, their numerous fans, and what British tabloids call “WAGs”—their elegantly dressed wives and girlfriends, who might find the difference striking compared to their accommodations at the previous tournament in Qatar: a cruise ship.
In 1994, when the World Cup last took place in the United States, Kansas City was unsuccessful in its attempt to host the event. In the years that have followed, soccer has thrived in this city, which now features multiple world-class training facilities. The central location serves as an ideal option for teams aiming to minimize travel times to matches in different cities.
Locally known as KC, the city sits at the confluence of two rivers and extends across two states, Missouri and Kansas. The Missouri side is renowned and has a larger population and will be the venue for six World Cup games, including a quarterfinal, at Arrowhead Stadium, which is the home of the National Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs. Argentina, the current World Cup champions, will conduct their training on the more tranquil Kansas side, while the English team will be accommodated in a nearby hotel.
Although the area may not boast the nightlife of New York City, the culinary offerings of Los Angeles, or the beaches of Miami, locals anticipate that visitors will find themselves pleasantly surprised.
Many are expected to queue for brisket “burnt ends” or smoked pork at one of the city’s renowned barbecue establishments, like Arthur Bryant’s or Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, a gas-station eatery that earned a spot on the list of “13 places to eat before you die” by late U.S. celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain.
Music enthusiasts can enjoy a jazz jam session at The Blue Room, located in the historic 18th & Vine District. Film aficionados willing to take a drive can journey to the Oz Museum in the quaint town of Wamego, Kansas. “I think you come in and you expect Midwest cows walking down the street,” remarked Jake Reid, vice president of the Kansas City (State of Missouri) host committee. “However, it boasts an incredible arts and culture scene,” he remarked, adding that the people “truly make you feel at home.”
The Swift Effect
Kansas City is primarily recognized for its football—the version that involves pads and helmets. The Chiefs have secured three recent Super Bowl victories, and their standout tight end, Travis Kelce, is now engaged to pop sensation Taylor Swift.
However, the city has also sought to establish itself as the “Soccer Capital of America.” The city boasts successful men’s and women’s professional teams—Sporting Kansas City and the KC Current, respectively—and has invested hundreds of millions of dollars over the past 15 years into cutting-edge training facilities and stadiums.
Dani Welniak, the vice president of communications for the Current, stated that Swift has played a significant role in enhancing the city’s profile. “We are thrilled to have her join the Kansas City sports scene, and I genuinely hope and believe she will attend some of the World Cup matches, as it promises to be a remarkable event,” Welniak stated.
The Netherlands, often considered the finest team to have never claimed the World Cup title, will hold their practice sessions at the current’s training facility. In April, Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman stated that he had visited the site and considered it the “best option” for his team. “Sports culture in Kansas City (State of Missouri) is contagious,” remarked Kyra Carusa, a forward for the Current. It is thrilling. It is ubiquitous.
Be ready.
In February, Argentina became the first team to announce their choice of Kansas City (State of Missouri) as their base camp, highlighting the distances between cities and available amenities. Superstar Lionel Messi, probably participating in his final World Cup, along with his teammates, will kick off their title defense on June 16 with a match against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium.
England will not have any local matches but will conduct their training at Swope Soccer Village, which was previously the home of Sporting Kansas City (State of Missouri). They will then travel to Dallas, New York, and Boston for their three group-stage matches.
According to Reid, for teams located in New York or Los Angeles, “it’s going to be a little bit crazier; there are probably a little bit more people hounding you.” Kansas City (State of Missouri), in comparison, “feels like home,” he remarked.
Visit KC, the city’s official nonprofit promoter, anticipates approximately 650,000 individuals will arrive in the city for the World Cup. However, an early May report from the American Hotel and Lodging Association indicates that hotel bookings are currently falling short of expectations.
At Joe’s Bar-B-Que, frequent patron Camilla Thomas, 29, advised guests to “come prepared” as a server announced for a customer to collect their order of pork spare ribs that completely filled the plate.
“The portions will be significantly larger than what anyone in Europe is accustomed to,” she remarked.
