Kansas City eyes 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup bid

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CPKC Stadium, the first stadium in the world built specifically for a women's soccer team, could host matches in the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Local leaders say Kansas City has already proven itself on the world stage, so they're pushing for another opportunity.

"Kansas City should be a host city once again," KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas said.

Kathy Nelson, president and CEO of the KC Sports Commission, echoed that sentiment.

"We've proven that we're an excellent host city," Nelson said.

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The possibility has caught the attention of the KC Current, the National Women's Soccer League club that calls CPKC Stadium home.

"It would mean everything, I think, as it relates to our purpose," said Raven Jemison, KC Current president.

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For the organization, the prospect of a Women's World Cup in Kansas City represents more than a tournament.

"To have the world's best women's soccer players here in Kansas City playing in this stadium would be a testament to what that investment means," Jemison said.

Soccer legend Michelle Akers — who helped lead the United States to victory in the first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup in 199, scoring 10 goals — sees CPKC Stadium as a symbol of what the sport can become.

"It's a premier, beautiful and powerful example of what women's soccer should be," Akers said.

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Akers believes a World Cup in Kansas City could send a message far beyond the pitch.

"Having a World Cup here in Kansas City, I think, will show the world what is possible and how this model can be repeated in other countries and across the United States as well," Akers said.

KC Current midfielder Rocky Rodríguez, who scored Costa Rica's first-ever Women's World Cup goal in 2015, shares that optimism.

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"It would be awesome," Rodríguez said.

Rodríguez says the atmosphere at CPKC Stadium during NWSL matches would translate to a World Cup setting.

"When you come to the stadium, I do think it's one of the best environments in the league," Rodríguez said.

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Jemison hopes the stadium itself becomes an inspiration for the players who walk through its doors — and for the world watching.

"It can show them that it is possible and maybe even inspire them to take that idea back to their respective countries and show what can happen when you invest in women and the world-class athletes they are," Jemison said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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