Manchester United faces off against the Wizards in the newly renovated Arrowhead Stadium Sunday

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Manchester United faces off against the Wizards in the newly renovated Arrowhead Stadium this weekend.

The New York Yankees may be the biggest brand in the United States, but Man U arguably holds that title on a global level.

Kansas City has already sold more tickets than Philadelphia and Toronta, which recently hosted exhibition games. The game at Arrowhead is also on pace to outsell Houston’s Manchester game next week. All of those markets are larger than Kansas City.

Wizards officials said that puts Kansas City in a good position for a 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

Wizards COO Greg Cotton said he hopes the momentum keeps going strong. He pointed to the new Wizards stadium currently being constructed near the Legends in Kansas City, Kan.; the massive World Cup watch parties in the Power & Light District; and the enormous youth soccer tournament being hosted in Overland Park.

“It makes sense for the new Arrowhead to be launched with the largest sports brand in the world which is Manchester United,” said Cotton.

Mike Kuhn has his front-row seat to Sunday's game, which is a given, considering the Wizards superfan has only missed one home game since 2005.

Kuhn also writes a soccer blog called Down the Byline and has heard plenty about the Man U game acting as a World Cup audition for Kansas City.

"I don't think it will make or break our chances, but it certainly can help," he said. "It's a rehearsal and opportunity to put the city's best foot forward. People will be traveling from all over the region and we want to prove we can host the big event."

Friday during the lunch hour, Soccer Master in Overland Park was packed with people excited for the big event.

Mark Emge and his friends were picking out jerseys to wear. They plan to take a party bus to the game.

Emge said he’s a huge soccer fan and it’s one of the biggest games the metro has hosted.

“Manchester United is the biggest sports franchise in the world. It’s bigger than the Yankees, bigger than Kansas City Chiefs, sorry Kansas City fans,” said Emge.

So will there be more blue jerseys or red ones filling the stands on game day?

Store manager Dan Bishop said both colors are flying of the rack and his sales are up 15-percent.

The Manchester versus Wizards game starts Sunday at 5 p.m. Gates open at 2 p.m.

$20 tickets are still available and parking is $25.