July 6, 2024

By Fred Liggett
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Every four years soccer fans in the United States gather together to cheer on the red, white and blue in what is known as the FIFA World Cup. The next World Cup tournament is slated for the summer of 2026 and USA fans have an increased interest in the event due to the United States serving as a host nation. A total of 16 cities in three countries, United States, Canada and Mexico, will serve as host to the popular international competition.

This is the second time USA is serving as a host site. The first coming back in the summer of 1994. In ’94 the event was played at nine venues where 52 matches were played. In 2026 it will be the biggest World Cup ever with a 48 team tourney and a total of 104 games will be played.

Thanks to Kansas City being selected to serve as one of the 13 host sites in the United States World Cup fever is growing among soccer fans in Lee’s Summit. The business community has noticed this elevated interest and are working on ways to benefit from the World Cup experience. The Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon for June had the World Cup as the main topic. The luncheon speaker was Lori Kirchhoff who serves as the Director of Project Management at KC2026. KC 2026 is the group doing all the planning for the games that will be played in Kansas City.

One of the many LS Chamber members in attendance to learn more about the event preparation was Kirby Asplund. Asplund is a member of the Lee’s Summit Chamber Board of Directors. Asplund comments “We wanted to hear from KC2026 about the event.” Personally Asplund is “very excited about the event, an incredible opportunity.”

Asplund explains a number of groups in Lee’s Summit are meeting already to plan and prepare for what the hope will be an increase in visitors and spending in the area. Asplund says they are meeting “to plan our response.” Asplund feels the group is “excited what the event can do for Lee’s Summit and will be as visible as possible.”

No one knows the teams that will be sent to play in Kansas City during the World Cup but it’s safe to say soccer fans from around the metro area as well as overseas will be coming to the games in large numbers. Asplund believes “fans coming in to Kansas City looking for things to do.” Some examples for interest in visiting Lee’s Summit Asplund says “a place to watch the game, have dinner and more.”

The growing sport of soccer will be on full display when the World Cup is played from June 11 through July 19, 2026. It’s safe to say soccer fans in Lee’s Summit are looking forward to goals being scored on and off the field.