FIFA World Cup 2026

World Cup is sprinting closer; entrepreneurs should be preparing now, say regional biz leaders

Kansas City is kicking plans into high gear as the 2026 FIFA World Cup heads to the pitch — with local leaders eager to capitalize on the massive economic impact expected from the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “The 2026 World Cup will be the largest event mankind has ever put on, and it’s going to be the…

World Cup will be KC’s biggest-ever event, top founder says (and local businesses can still get in the game)

When Neal Sharma co-founded DEG at the turn of the millennium, Kansas City felt like it had an inferiority complex, he said. Fast forward to 2024, and the city is teeming with extrinsic validation, he added. The exited founder-turned-civic leader hopes being a World Cup host city in 2026 pushes Kansas City to take a…

This startup’s AI, Bluetooth tech could push traffic to businesses, boost equity when World Cup comes to KC

This spring’s NFL Draft served as a beta test for Kansas City’s implementation of Jonathan Ruiz’s bluetooth technology, he said, noting that the tech and data could help better prepare the city for the World Cup in 2026. “We wanted to start collecting this data for our partners in Kansas City’s Downtown and City Market,…

Fans react Thursday at Power & Light as news breaks that Kansas City will host during the 2026 World Cup; photos by Channa Steinmetz/Startland News

KC scores 2026 World Cup for Arrowhead; games expected to mean big business for region’s economy

Fans rallied in near-triple-digit heat Thursday in the heart of Kansas City as the region scored a longtime goal: earning a spot on the roster of 16 host cities for the coming 2026 FIFA World Cup. “To be named a host city for not only the biggest single sport event in history, but as part…