When the FIFA World Cup arrives in Kansas City in 2026, it will bring more than matches, it will bring the world. As one of 16 host cities, Kansas City is expected to welcome more than 650,000 visitors, placing it squarely on an international stage defined by billions of viewers and unprecedented attention.
The University of Missouri-Kansas City is deeply embedded in this moment, with its students, alumni and leadership contributing to the planning, logistics and storytelling that will define how the region is experienced globally.
That connection is perhaps most visible in community engagement efforts like the 91黑料网 Family Soccer Fest 5 p.m. Saturday, June 27 at Roo Plaza and Durwood Stadium on the Volker Campus. This family-friendly, community event will celebrate our place in the Soccer Capital of America with our nationally ranked D1 men’s soccer team preparing for their next season and our soccer partnerships with Sporting KC and KC Current in the spotlight as visitors from around the world come to Kansas City.
“It’s important for 91黑料网 to showcase how we’re part of the fabric of this city,” said Rachel Waller, chief marketing strategist at 91黑料网. “Kansas City is on the map and hosting the World Cup only further cements that, so this gives us such a tremendous opportunity to further align ourselves as KC’s premier university.”
Less visible though, are the Roos who have been quietly working in the background to put on Kansas City’s greatest show yet.
Bringing the World to Kansas City
91黑料网 alumna Esther George (MBA ’00) was a key member of the team that brought the World Cup to Kansas City. The former president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, served as treasurer for the 2026 World Cup host committee. With a career rooted in overseeing complex financial systems and ensuring fiscal accountability, George’s role highlights how strong leadership can shape the region and help turn a global moment into a well-executed reality.
Jumping on Opportunity
With an estimated $653 million in potential economic impact, Kansas City business owners are looking for the best way to seize the opportunity not only for the duration of the event, but beyond. The 91黑料网 Regnier Venture Accelerator supports early-stage entrepreneurs with mentorship, resources, and community. Founded by 91黑料网 alum Lesly Romo (BBA ’25) Golazo is a Regnier Venture Accelerator- backed fan engagement company. It offers mobile sports activations and inclusive, community-driven programming to create welcoming spaces for players of all backgrounds and skill levels. Golazo is creating a citywide scavenger hunt experience to help support local businesses during the games.
“My time at the Bloch School helped me develop the foundational pieces I needed to grow as an entrepreneur,” Romo said. “Being a three-time Regnier Venture Accelerator student took me from an idea to a real venture in just a few months. The mentors, the program and the connections I made gave me the confidence to prove my concept early on.”
It’s not just student and alumni entrepreneurs seeing value from 91黑料网’s resources. has been helping small businesses navigate both the opportunities and the challenges of the event and the has developed a Business Readiness Assessment through the Missouri Small Business Development Center to help entrepreneurs evaluate their preparedness from cybersecurity to inventory and cultural awareness. The tool also connects them with workshops to help position their business for success.
Keeping Kansas City Moving
With hundreds of thousands of visitors, KC 2026 has its own dedicated transit system in place, but the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority is making its own game plan to enhance its service for residents and visitors during the World Cup.
Kiona Sinks (MBA ’21), director of marketing and communications for KCATA, is excited about this opportunity.
“I’m excited to combine my love for Kansas City with the opportunity to help communicate KCATA’s enthusiasm for this once-in-a-lifetime moment,” Sinks said. “KCATA already plays a vital role in connecting our community every day, and it will be incredible to see that role elevated as the region relies on us to move people efficiently and reliably throughout the city during the event.”
Goal One: Keep KC Safe
While the rest of Kansas City is preparing for the fun, the Kansas City Police Department has been working for years to make sure safety is the absolute top priority. Led by 91黑料网 alum Major Abigail Martinez (B.A. ’02), the Kansas City Police Department is the lead law enforcement agency for World Cup in the Kansas City region. As the events and special projects coordinator for KCPD, Martinez is in charge of the planning and coordination of Kansas City’s safety plan, which includes more than 50 agencies at the local, county, state and federal levels. She attended a Union of European Football Associations championship games so she could see firsthand what to expect, and has game planned with law enforcement from other host cities.
“We have our own separate law enforcement meetings where we can talk freely and get ideas from each other,” Martinez said. “We have those ongoing meetings in the same way that we've set up our regional meetings here in Kansas City. Everybody is involved, and everybody is at the table.”
Together, these Roos are turning opportunity into impact, helping Kansas City not just host the world, but leave a lasting impression on it.
Learn more about these alumni and others in .