FIFA World Cup 26™ in Kansas City

Published On: December 5, 2025

In 2026, the FIFA World Cup 26™ will touch down in Kansas City, with Kansas City Stadium set to host the biggest tournament in world football. 

Often called the “Heart of America,” Kansas City spans the Kansas–Missouri border and combines a passionate sports culture with a warm, down‑to‑earth atmosphere. Visitors can expect famous barbecues, a rich jazz heritage, vibrant nightlife, and a fast‑evolving art and tech scene. 

Between matches, fans can explore districts like the Power & Light District, Crossroads Arts District, Westport, and the Country Club Plaza, or visit landmarks such as the National World War I Museum and Memorial, Union Station, the Nelson‑Atkins Museum of Art, and iconic jazz clubs across the city. 

For official host‑city announcements and visitor information, see the Kansas City Host Committee . 

 

What matches will be played in Kansas City? 

Kansas City Stadium is scheduled to stage several FIFA World Cup 26™ fixtures, spanning the Group Stage and the Knockout Phase:    

GROUP STAGE   Tuesday, June 16, 2026 

GROUP STAGE   Saturday, June 20, 2026 

GROUP STAGE   Thursday, June 25, 2026 

GROUP STAGE   Saturday, June 27, 2026 

ROUND OF 32   Friday, July 3, 2026 

QUARTER-FINAL   Saturday, July 11, 2026 

See the full match schedule here. 

When will we know who’s playing in Kansas City? 

The picture becomes clear after the Official Final Draw on Friday, December 5, 2025, in Washington, DC (12:00 local time). 

Following the draw, FIFA will release the full group compositions and assign matches to host cities. You’ll be able to follow these updates on FIFA’s official digital channels: 

  • The main tournament hub on FIFA.com  

 

Is this the first time the World Cup comes to Kansas City? 

Yes. Kansas City did not appear as a host venue at USA 1994. FIFA World Cup 26™ marks the city’s debut as a World Cup host, with a significant package of matches to be played at Kansas City Stadium. Additional local information and host‑city content will be shared through the official Kansas City host‑city platforms as the tournament approaches. 

Across the 2026 host cities, new stories will join the rich history of the FIFA World Cup just as they did in 1994, when Romário’s decisive goal for Brazil against the Netherlands in the quarter‑final became one of the tournament’s standout moments. That goal now lives on as a digital collectible, which you can discover on the FIFA Collect marketplace. 

 

A closer look at Kansas City Stadium 

Kansas City Stadium is a modern, large‑scale venue that adapts naturally to international football, with a steep seating bowl, strong sightlines, and an atmosphere known worldwide for its volume and intensity. For FIFA World Cup 26™, the stadium will be configured to meet all tournament standards, with an expected tournament capacity of around 76,000 spectators, tailored to major global fixtures. 

Long a flagship arena for elite American football and major events, Kansas City Stadium has hosted: 

  • Multiple NFL playoff runs and AFC Championship Games with record‑breaking crowd noise 
  • The famous 2010 exhibition match between Kansas City and Manchester United, which drew more than 50,000 fans for international club football 
  • High‑profile international friendlies and football showcase featuring national teams and top clubs 
  • Major college football games and neutral‑site matchups 
  • Some of the world’s biggest stadium tours, including global music superstars 

These events have cemented Kansas City Stadium’s reputation as one of North America’s most intense and memorable live‑sports environments, now ready to welcome the world for FIFA World Cup 26™. 

Kansas City Wizards and Manchester United players, along with young mascots, walk onto the field before a soccer match, with a packed stadium in the background.

Want the latest on Kansas City matchdays for World Cup 26™? 

To stay informed about the Final Draw results, which teams will play in Kansas City, and any schedule adjustments, keep an eye on FIFA’s official communication channels and the World Cup 26™ section on FIFA.com. 

For local programming, city‑wide events, fan‑zone information, and visitor guidance, refer to the official Kansas City host‑city website and social channels. 

For more features, background stories, and deep dives into other FIFA World Cup 26™ stadiums and host cities, visit the FIFA Collect blog. 

FIFA World Cup 26™ in Kansas City

Published On: December 5, 2025

In 2026, the FIFA World Cup 26™ will touch down in Kansas City, with Kansas City Stadium set to host the biggest tournament in world football. 

Often called the “Heart of America,” Kansas City spans the Kansas–Missouri border and combines a passionate sports culture with a warm, down‑to‑earth atmosphere. Visitors can expect famous barbecues, a rich jazz heritage, vibrant nightlife, and a fast‑evolving art and tech scene. 

Between matches, fans can explore districts like the Power & Light District, Crossroads Arts District, Westport, and the Country Club Plaza, or visit landmarks such as the National World War I Museum and Memorial, Union Station, the Nelson‑Atkins Museum of Art, and iconic jazz clubs across the city. 

For official host‑city announcements and visitor information, see the Kansas City Host Committee . 

 

What matches will be played in Kansas City? 

Kansas City Stadium is scheduled to stage several FIFA World Cup 26™ fixtures, spanning the Group Stage and the Knockout Phase:    

GROUP STAGE   Tuesday, June 16, 2026 

GROUP STAGE   Saturday, June 20, 2026 

GROUP STAGE   Thursday, June 25, 2026 

GROUP STAGE   Saturday, June 27, 2026 

ROUND OF 32   Friday, July 3, 2026 

QUARTER-FINAL   Saturday, July 11, 2026 

See the full match schedule here. 

When will we know who’s playing in Kansas City? 

The picture becomes clear after the Official Final Draw on Friday, December 5, 2025, in Washington, DC (12:00 local time). 

Following the draw, FIFA will release the full group compositions and assign matches to host cities. You’ll be able to follow these updates on FIFA’s official digital channels: 

  • The main tournament hub on FIFA.com  

 

Is this the first time the World Cup comes to Kansas City? 

Yes. Kansas City did not appear as a host venue at USA 1994. FIFA World Cup 26™ marks the city’s debut as a World Cup host, with a significant package of matches to be played at Kansas City Stadium. Additional local information and host‑city content will be shared through the official Kansas City host‑city platforms as the tournament approaches. 

Across the 2026 host cities, new stories will join the rich history of the FIFA World Cup just as they did in 1994, when Romário’s decisive goal for Brazil against the Netherlands in the quarter‑final became one of the tournament’s standout moments. That goal now lives on as a digital collectible, which you can discover on the FIFA Collect marketplace. 

 

A closer look at Kansas City Stadium 

Kansas City Stadium is a modern, large‑scale venue that adapts naturally to international football, with a steep seating bowl, strong sightlines, and an atmosphere known worldwide for its volume and intensity. For FIFA World Cup 26™, the stadium will be configured to meet all tournament standards, with an expected tournament capacity of around 76,000 spectators, tailored to major global fixtures. 

Long a flagship arena for elite American football and major events, Kansas City Stadium has hosted: 

  • Multiple NFL playoff runs and AFC Championship Games with record‑breaking crowd noise 
  • The famous 2010 exhibition match between Kansas City and Manchester United, which drew more than 50,000 fans for international club football 
  • High‑profile international friendlies and football showcase featuring national teams and top clubs 
  • Major college football games and neutral‑site matchups 
  • Some of the world’s biggest stadium tours, including global music superstars 

These events have cemented Kansas City Stadium’s reputation as one of North America’s most intense and memorable live‑sports environments, now ready to welcome the world for FIFA World Cup 26™. 

Kansas City Wizards and Manchester United players, along with young mascots, walk onto the field before a soccer match, with a packed stadium in the background.

Want the latest on Kansas City matchdays for World Cup 26™? 

To stay informed about the Final Draw results, which teams will play in Kansas City, and any schedule adjustments, keep an eye on FIFA’s official communication channels and the World Cup 26™ section on FIFA.com. 

For local programming, city‑wide events, fan‑zone information, and visitor guidance, refer to the official Kansas City host‑city website and social channels. 

For more features, background stories, and deep dives into other FIFA World Cup 26™ stadiums and host cities, visit the FIFA Collect blog.