Tag: FIFA World Cup

Watch parties start Monday for World Cup matches

Watch parties are starting Monday, Nov. 21, at the KC Power and Light District in Kansas City, Missouri, for World Cup matches.

The watch parties start at 1 p.m. Monday with the U.S. vs. Wales kickoff. Thirty-two national teams will play 64 matches from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18 in Qatar.

The watch parties will be at KC Live! In the Power and Light District.

Broadcasts for U.S. and Mexico matches will be shown live on the theater-sized LED screen, which is 40 feet wide and 18 feet high. Match commentary will play through a covered outdoor venue in English for USMNT matches and in Spanish for El Tri matches.

On Tuesday morning, Mexico will play Poland at 10 a.m., and will be part of the watch party.

Scheduled Nov. 25 is USA vs. England at 1 p.m.; Nov. 26, Mexico vs. Argentine at 1 p.m.; Nov. 29, USA vs. Iran at 1 p.m.; and Nov. 30, Mexico vs. Saudi Arabia at 1 p.m.

Tickets for admission to the watch parties are free for all ages and available to reserve in advance via SeatGeek. It will be first-come, first-serve.

No Other Pub, 1370 Grand Blvd., will be open for all World Cup matches kicking off at 9 a.m. or later (excluding Thanksgiving Day) for indoor watch parties using the venue’s 10 foot by 15 foot video wall and surrounding HDTV screens.

KC making a bid for the FIFA World Cup today

FIFA officials are touring the Kansas City area today, as Kansas City is making a bid to be the host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Kansas City plan is to hold the World Cup at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, with other facilities throughout the area used for training camps.

Representatives from FIFA, Concacaf and U.S. Soccer will be touring Kansas City today. They will be gathering at the Power and Light District, along with touring Arrowhead Stadium, Union Station and other areas.

They also are planning to attend the U.S. Women’s Team’s soccer game tonight against Korea, at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce President Joe Reardon said in a recent newsletter, “This would be HUGE for our local economy, worth up to $620 million in economic impact. And it would bring the world’s attention to KC with more than 3.5 billion viewers worldwide. (By comparison, 96.4 million viewers tuned into the 2021 Super Bowl). Not to mention the tens of thousands of international visitors we can expect.”

In Washington, Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, made a statement Wednesday night on the Senate floor supporting the selection of Kansas City for the FIFA World Cup.

“…Kansas is home to some of the most devoted, fanatic soccer fans in the world that are ready to cheer on Team USA – and what better place than America’s heartland?” Sen. Marshall said. “The Kansas City community, alongside Sporting KC, has shown unwavering commitment to make this dream a reality. And Kansas City is no stranger to hosting major sporting events, from the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Conference Championship and NCAA March Madness, and plans to host the NFL Football Draft in 2023. We have great fan friendly facilities and something for everyone in the family to do. We have the lodging, public transportation, shopping, and dining options needed to make the 2026 World Cup a great success. The FIFA World Cup is the largest and most prestigious single sport event in the world and there is no better place for it to be held than Kansas City.”