KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) – The FIFA World Cup 2026 is two years away, but area entities, agencies, and organizations are coming together to find the best ways to utilize their transportation and infrastructure past the time people fly back to their home countries.
“We’re the smallest city (hosting World Cup games) and in my view Kansas City is constantly punching above our weight,” said U.S. Representative Sharice Davids.
The open discussion Friday inside the University of Kansas Medical Center centered around those two not just in KC or by the stadiums and airport, but the entire region. They know people will be traveling all around the area so they need to be prepared for the variety of requests they will be getting from people who live all over the world.
There are suggestions and goals for each entity, but Davids and others on committees are working to ensure everyone is on the entire Kansas City team.
“I actually think we can do it and I think we can do it with a lot of heart but it’s going to require us to put agendas aside and come together as one region,” KC2026 Vice Chair Neal Sharma said. “We do that, we’ll get there.”
Davids launched the Bipartisan Congressional FIFA 2026 World Cup caucus to support the United States’ role in hosting – so she’s trying to stay on top of everyone’s ideas. There are quite a few and each city wants something. Still, Davids believes it’s all working well so far.
“Because we have the Mid-America Regional Council, because we have the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority – we have some pieces that are already in place that make it that much easier for us to collaborate,” said Davids.
The goal of bringing together local entities and stakeholders is to ensure plans are in place to take advantage of the projected $620 million coming to KC.
Neal said, “When we get all the inbound, it is a lot, but it ought to be because this is the biggest event in the history of this region.”
Johnson County Board of Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly said they are aiming toward getting projects done that will elevate Johnson County when the World Cup ends. But again, it’s not just for Johnson County, it is for all entities to see what they can accomplish during this time so they can thrive for years and years after.
“You think about the tools we’ve wanted in our community, as it continues to grow. This is a great opportunity to pilot those projects.”
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