Patrick
With the Final Draw officially wrapped up, soccer enthusiasts in Kansas City and across the globe are eagerly mapping out where their favorite national teams might compete during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Kansas City has secured six major matches, including four group-stage games and two knockout-round fixtures, all hosted at Arrowhead Stadium—temporarily renamed Kansas City Stadium for the tournament.
Group-Stage Matches Coming to Kansas City
June 16, 2026 — Group J Opener
Kansas City will feature a marquee matchup from Group J, headlined by Argentina, the top seed in the group and the defending World Cup champions.
Ranked No. 2 globally, Argentina could again showcase legendary forward Lionel Messi, though the 38-year-old has not yet confirmed his participation in 2026.
Other teams in Group J include:
- Austria (Ranked No. 24)
- Algeria (Ranked No. 35)
- Jordan (Ranked No. 66)
Because top-seeded teams often open group play, there is a strong likelihood that Argentina’s first match will take place in Kansas City on June 16.
June 20, 2026 — Group E Match
The third game of Group E will be staged in Kansas City. The group’s top seed is Germany, a four-time World Cup champion currently ranked No. 9.
Group E also features:
- Ecuador (Ranked No. 23)
- Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) (Ranked No. 42)
- Curaçao (Ranked No. 82)
Kansas City will host a matchup between two of these four Group E teams.
June 25, 2026 — Group F Showdown
The elite Netherlands, ranked No. 7, leads Group F and will compete in one of Kansas City’s matches. The group includes:
- Japan (Ranked No. 18)
- Tunisia (Ranked No. 40)
- A playoff winner from Ukraine, Sweden, Albania, or Poland, with the playoff scheduled for March.
Kansas City will host one Group F fixture between two of these four teams.
June 27, 2026 — Second Group J Match
Group J returns to Kansas City for another match between two of its teams:
- Argentina
- Austria
- Algeria
- Jordan
Knockout-Stage Matches at Kansas City Stadium
July 3, 2026 — Round of 32
Kansas City will host a matchup featuring:
Group K Winner vs. Third-place finisher from Group D, E, I, J, or L
Group K includes:
- Portugal (Ranked No. 6) — top seed
- Colombia (Ranked No. 13)
- Uzbekistan (Ranked No. 50)
- Playoff winner from Congo (No. 56), Jamaica (No. 70), or New Caledonia (No. 149)
July 11, 2026 — Quarter-Final Match
Kansas City will host one of the four quarter-finals, featuring the winners of:
- “Group K winner vs. Group D/E/I/J/L third place”
against - “Group J winner vs. Group H runner-up”
If tournament seeds hold, the likely matchup could be Portugal vs. Argentina, setting the stage for a blockbuster showdown.
Other possible pathways include:
- Argentina/Uruguay winner vs. Australia/Iran (Ranked No. 20) winner
- Switzerland or Italy (depending on playoff qualification) vs. Group E/F/G/I/J third-place teams
- Portugal vs. third-place team from Groups D/E/I/J/L
Kansas City’s World Cup schedule brings an extraordinary lineup of international soccer talent to the Midwest.
With potential appearances from powerhouse teams like Argentina, Germany, the Netherlands, and Portugal, fans can expect world-class competition and unforgettable moments.
The combination of group-stage excitement and high-stakes knockout matches positions Kansas City as one of the premier host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.