Episode Details

Kansas City will host games in the world’s largest sporting event, the World Cup. Amazing.

Dozens of U.S. cities wanted in, 11 were selected. With three in Mexico and two in Canada as part of the joint North American event, Kansas City is the smallest of the 16, in terms of metropolitan-area population. But no city worked longer and harder to land these World Cup matches.

On today’s episode of the SportsBeat KC podcast, Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell discuss the news more deeply with host Blair Kerkhoff. How did Kansas City beat out larger cities, what impressed FIFA officials, and what’s in store for the heart of America in 2026?

Story links:

“No one wants it more than you,” What made Kansas City’s World Cup bid stand out

World Cup reiterates KC is world class and reminds of transformative powers of sports

How Kansas City landed games as host for 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer

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