The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in the United States on June 11, 2026. Six matches to be played in Kansas City, starting June 16, will feature three national teams using the city as their home base.
Potential training venues are all under an hour away from Rockhurst’s campus, including Compass Minerals National Performance Center, the KC Current training complex, and the University of Kansas soccer complex in Lawrence.
Rockhurst students also have the chance to take part directly. FIFA is seeking more than 6,000 volunteers in roles ranging from fan experience to operations. Requirements include committing to eight shifts between June 11 and July 19, being at least 18 years old, and compliance with the eligibility requirements of the host country. Not only can Rockhurst students build their resume through this opportunity, but they can build a network of professional connections.
Chances to purchase tickets are already highly coveted. A Visa pre-sale ticket draw opens Sept. 10 and closes SEPT. 19, the first ever drawing of its kind. To participate, applicants must register through FIFA’s official website and create a FIFA ID. The winners of the draw will be notified by email on Sept. 29. Similar lotteries will be held in late October and December.
Kayce Cooper, a senior MBA student at Rockhurst and a Sporting Kansas City brand ambassador, remembered the excitement of learning the World Cup news.
“I had the opportunity to celebrate with the city at the World Cup Host Announcement Watch Party at Power and Light in 2022 as a fan. The energy throughout the crowd was electric as everyone was rooting for the city to have its shining moment on the World stage. Being from Kansas City and experiencing the soccer culture as a fan and an athlete made me that much more excited to share my positive experiences of living in the Soccer Capital of America with the world,” Cooper said.
So far, 18 of the 48 total teams have qualified. The three co-hosts: Canada, the United States, and Mexico are automatically qualified followed by teams from the South American CONMEBOL, Asian AFC, African CAF and Oceania OFC Confederations. Popular teams among these groups include Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Japan, Iran, Australia and Morocco. No team from Europe’s UEFA has yet qualified. Many qualifying matches begin in September.
Opportunities for fan fervor extend beyond volunteering. Fan festivals and watch parties will occur across the metro, including at KC Live in the Power & Light District, the FIFA Fan Festival at the National WWI Museum and Memorial and parks in North Kansas City such as Macken Park and Swift Street.
Cooper said she is looking forward to the impact the World Cup will have on college students.
“As a college student, life will look different this upcoming summer with all of the different experiences and people coming to the city. I’m looking forward to attending Fan Fest events and potentially a match at Arrowhead,” she said.
For the first time in World Cup history, the final match, July 19 at MetLife Stadium, will include a 15-minute halftime show. Performers will include J Balvin, Doja Cat and Tems, with Coldplay heading the production. The performance supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise money for global education.
