The World Cup Is Here: Missouri Welcomes the World

• June 17, 2026

The world’s biggest sporting event has arrived in Kansas City.

As FIFA World Cup matches kick off and fans from around the globe gather in the heart of America, Missouri is stepping onto the international stage. Over the coming weeks, millions of viewers will watch as Kansas City hosts matches for the largest FIFA World Cup in history, showcasing not only world-class soccer but also the infrastructure, accessibility, and quality of life that define Missouri.

A Global Stage Years in the Making

Kansas City’s selection as a FIFA World Cup Host City was the result of years of preparation, collaboration, and investment. To secure the tournament, the region demonstrated its ability to accommodate international teams, media, and visitors through extensive lodging capacity, transportation infrastructure, volunteer support, and a passionate soccer culture.

The region’s advantages extend beyond matchday operations. Kansas City’s central location, accessibility, and quality-of-life offerings helped earn it recognition as the “Base Camp Capital” of the World Cup, with four national teams selecting the region as their training headquarters during the tournament. For teams, the area’s convenient location, manageable travel times, and welcoming environment made it an ideal place to prepare for competition on the world’s biggest stage.

Those same attributes are now being experienced by thousands of visitors arriving from around the globe. Between matches, fans can explore renowned barbecue and a growing culinary scene, enjoy museums and cultural attractions, experience live music and entertainment, and take advantage of the ease of getting around the region. Combined with Missouri’s welcoming communities, affordability, and central location, the result is a visitor experience that extends far beyond the stadium and introduces guests to everything the state has to offer.

Learn more in our article: Missouri Takes the Global Stage: Kansas City a Host City for the Largest FIFA World Cup in History.

Why FIFA Chose Missouri

The reasons Kansas City earned the opportunity to host the World Cup are the same reasons businesses continue to choose Missouri for growth and expansion.

A central U.S. location. Efficient transportation networks. Easy access to major markets. Lower congestion. Strong public-private collaboration. Communities that know how to execute complex projects and welcome visitors from around the world.

FIFA’s selection validated what businesses have long recognized: Missouri offers the infrastructure, connectivity, and responsiveness needed to compete on a global scale.

The same advantages that made Kansas City attractive to World Cup organizers and international teams—strategic location, ease of movement, affordability, and quality of life—also make Missouri an ideal place for companies looking to grow. Businesses benefit from access to customers and suppliers across North America while enjoying a lower-cost, less congested environment that supports productivity and long-term success.

As international visitors explore the region, experience its hospitality, and discover its advantages firsthand, Missouri has a unique opportunity to tell a broader story, one about innovation, growth, and a state positioned at the center of North America.

Read more: Why FIFA Chose Missouri and Why Growing Businesses Should, Too.