FIFA World Cup 26™
Information about the FIFA World Cup 26™ for Independence residents and visitors to our city.
The FIFA World Cup 26™ is the 23rd FIFA World Cup, a championship tournament held every four years between senior men’s national teams of the members of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). FIFA World Cup 26™ is the first to be hosted by three nations: The United States, Canada, and Mexico. Within these three host nations, 16 cities will jointly host the tournament games from June 11 to July 19, 2026, welcoming teams from 48 participating countries. Between the historic three-nation host and the expansion from 32 to 48 teams, this tournament will be the largest in FIFA history.
Kansas City will host six matches during the tournament; all will be played at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (dubbed “Kansas City Stadium” by FIFA officials).
KANSAS CITY WORLD CUP MATCHES
GROUP STAGE Tuesday, June 16, 2026 | 8 PM CT | Argentina vs. Algeria
GROUP STAGE Saturday, June 20, 2026 | 7 PM CT | Ecuador vs. Curaçao
GROUP STAGE Thursday, June 25, 2026 | 6 PM CT | Tunisia vs. Netherlands
GROUP STAGE Saturday, June 27, 2026 | 9 PM CT | Algeria vs. Austria
ROUND OF 32 Friday, July 3, 2026 | 8:30 PM CT | TBD
QUARTER-FINAL Saturday, July 11, 2026 | 8:00 PM CT | TBD
The City of Independence wants to keep residents and businesses informed and ready for the festivities. This page will be regularly updated with news, resources, and announcements regarding the World Cup.
Visit kansascityfwc26.com for the latest information regarding Kansas City's host city duties and official news and press releases.
World Cup FAQs
The FIFA World Cup 26™ will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The opening match on June 11 will be held in Mexico City at Estadio Azteca. The final match on July 19 will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
VisitKC currently estimates approximately 650,000+ fans will visit the Kansas City metro during the tournament. Guests will spend several days in the area as part of their visit.
Are you considering hosting a public game viewing? If so, be sure to read the KC2026 Community Activation Playbook for useful information regarding community involvement with the World Cup.
For information geared toward small-business, visit the KC2026 initiative KC Game Plan for resources, trainings, and vendor opportunities.
Types of Watch Parties
Public Viewing Events fall into three categories as defined by FIFA:
Non-Commercial Public Viewing Event
Public viewing events in commercial establishments like restaurants, hotels, pubs, clubs, and bars are still considered non-commercial if they’re part of the establishment’s usual business and no additional commercial activities like admission fees or sponsorships happen during the event.
Commercial Public Viewing Event
Entry to the Public Viewing Event is charged with a direct or indirect admission fee, and sponsorships or other commercial rights are also used to generate revenue.
Special Non-Commercial Public Viewing Event
Non-Commercial Public Viewing Event which has a capacity of more than 1,000 spectators.
Licensing Requirements and Fees
Non-Commercial Public Viewing Events do not require a formal license and can be broadcast through FOX and Telemundo. For example, a bar, restaurant, hotel, or other commercial establishment can stream world cup matches and host watch parties while conducting normal business with no FIFA licensing requirements. For these events, charging an admission fee, either directly or indirectly, is not allowed. An example of indirect charging would be requiring a coffee purchase at a local café, where the coffee cup serves as your ticket to enter.
Commercial and Special Non-Commercial public viewing event organizers will need to request a license through the FIFA Public Viewing Portal. The fee for a Commercial Public Viewing Event License or a Special Non-Commercial Public Viewing Event License is calculated based on the location’s spectator capacity.