Tracy Whelpley

Sports leaders who tied their legacies to World Cup: KC businesses, fans impressed the world

Kansas City seized its moment in the international spotlight, said Clark Hunt, sweeping aside what he called past concerns about FIFA World Cup economic impact and visitor projections to laud work on the ground by local officials, entrepreneurs and fans.

This artist’s vision is larger than life; her World Cup installation was created to match

Whitney Manney’s massive KC•House installation welcomes the world to Kansas City, the fashion designer and multi-hyphenate creator said. She’s hanging on hope they arrive with curiosity and an eye for whimsy.

Get in the game: World Cup match lights opportunity (but only if a risk-taker is willing to strike)

“FIFA isn’t thinking about Kansas City’s legacy. That’s up to us,” said Rich Chungong, a serial tech founder and cryptocurrency enthusiast who turned his attention to community organizing around the World Cup once it became clear leaders needed to step up.

KC’s readiness is a team sport: Why cashing in requires World Cup collaboration

It starts with opening the door, said Dulcinea Herrera, encouraging business owners who are preparing for an influx of World Cup visitors to “think in the mindset of the world.”

New playbook details: With matches set, World Cup business opportunities come into focus for KC

Host city organizers drop game plans for KC entrepreneurs navigating World Cup Argentina, the Netherlands, and other teams playing in Kansas City during the 2026 FIFA World Cup games are bringing their own playbooks to the City of Fountains next spring. Local organizers want the region’s small businesses and organizations to be just as prepared…