FIFA World Cup is off and running in Kansas City. Smooth sailing or potholes?
Two games into the FIFA World Cup schedule in Kansas City, and we’ve seen some spectacular performances, starting with Lionel Messi’s hat trick for Argentina in the opening game. The action has been top-rate.
But how about Kansas City’s overall performance as a host city? On SportsBeat KC, sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), columnist Vahe Gregorian and sportswriter Pete Grathoff discuss what’s gone right and wrong over the first couple of weeks.
Then there are two more group-stage games this week, starting with Netherlands vs. Tunisia on Thursday — with the Orange March fanwalk set for downtown that day — and two knockout games in July remain on Kansas City’s schedule. Is the best yet to come?
This story was originally published June 23, 2026 at 4:02 PM with the headline "FIFA World Cup is off and running in Kansas City. Smooth sailing or potholes?."