KC Sports Commission makes pitch to FIFA to host 2026 World Cup matches

KC Sports Commission meets with FIFA ahead of 2026 World Cup

HOSTING NATIONALSOCCER COMPETITIONS --IS JUST THE TIP OF THEICEBERG FOR KANSASCITY SPORTS LEADERS.THE SPORTS COMMISSIONHOPING TO WIN ONE OFTHE TOP PRIZES -- ACHANCE TO HOST 20-26WORLD CUP MATCHES.Kathy Nelson/President & CEO, KCSports Commission"You have to buildrelationships.

You have to tellyour story, then you have toprove your story.

Then youhave to get that trust.

Then tobe able to be awarded anevent takes a lot of time."THURSDAY -- THE KANSASCITY SPORTS COMMISSIONPRESENTED AN UPDATEDBID TO HOST MATCHESFOR THE 2026 WORLD CUP."I think they were thrilled withwhat we presented tounderstand Kansas City more.Most of them have never beento our city and so to see itthrough our eyes was excitingfor the group."THE TEAM SHOWCASEDHOTELS--TRANSPORTATION -- ANDTHE NEW ONE TERMINALCOMING TO K-C-I.ALL TO PROVE KANSASCITY HAS WHAT IT TAKESTO HANDLE AN EVENT OFTHIS MAGNITUDE."That'd be like hosting 6-8Super Bowls is one way tocompare that.

A half a billiondollars of economic activity, ofeconomic impact at aminimum probably."KATHY NELSON--PRESIDENT AND C-E-O OFTHE SPORTS COMMISSION-- SAYS FIFA WASIMPRESSED WITH OURCENTRAL LOCATION -- ANDOUR KANSAS CITY KIND."How pleasant everyone isand how friendly we are.

Thatreally came across today and Iwas pretty proud of how weshined significantly in theworld's eyes."SO MUCH SO -- THEY CAN'TWAIT TO COME TO TOWN.ALTHOUGH -- NELSONWOULDN'T TELL ME WHICHRESTAURANT THEY PLANTO VISIT."They did bring up they'reanxious to try Kansas Citybarbecue.

So we may samplea few different places.

I'm notgoing to answer that."NEXT UP -- FIFA WILLCOME TO KANSAS CITYLATE THIS YEAR OR EARLYNEXT YEAR.THEY'LL REVIEW THEPITCH -- AND ASK A LOT OFDETAILED QUESTIONS.WE'VE STILL GOT SOMETIME THOUGH.A DECISION ISN'TANTICIPATED UNTIL THEEND OF 20-21.THAT'S IF EVERYTHINGGOES AS PLAN