Wyandotte County assembles task force for World Cup prep
WYANDOTTE COUNTY, Kan. (KCTV) - Wyandotte County has assembled a task force made up of various businesses, state officials and local leaders ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The group is separate from the KC 2026 group that is handling the major planning, but the task force in Wyandotte is looking ahead to hosting at least one international team while they train.
David Johnston is on the new task force. He’s also the Wyandotte County and is also a member of KC 2026.
“It’s more than just providing government entities recommendations, this is activating our community into action, and we’re going to be the coordinators of that outreach,” Johnston said. “Soccer fans love their national teams, and so they will come for the 45 days, and if their team is located here, they’re going to be domiciled here for 45 days, or until they have to go home.”
Kansas City will host 6 World Cup games, most of which will be in the group stage, but Arrowhead will also be the site of a quarterfinal game.
One of the four international teams that will be training in the greater Kansas City area will be using Children’s Mercy Park’s facilities.
“We do know they will be looking for a host hotel, I’m hoping the new Margaritaville would be considered for that,” Johnston said. “We know that the women’s soccer team (KC Current) will probably more than likely be a training site – where the other two happen to be are up for grabs. I know Kansas University is being thought about, even Kansas State.
The Wyandotte task force will be discussing planning and logistics, marketing and events and on-site experience until the World Cup takes place in 2026. They are expecting to know what team Wyandotte will be hosting in late 2025 or early 2026.
“This is the first day we’ve done anything, but we have less than two and a half years to get it right, to make us shine, and that’s our goal,” Johnston said. “We’re going to shine on the international stage.”
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