KANSAS CITY, Mo. — World Cup fans lined up Thursday afternoon to be a part of Day 1 of the FIFA World Cup Fan Fest in Kansas City.
Gates at the free celebration of soccer opened at 1 p.m. as fans streamed into the grounds at the National World War I Museum and Memorial after a 30-minute weather delay.
The FIFA Fan Fest is one of several locations today hosting watch parties for the first match of the tournament, featuring Mexico vs South Africa from Mexico City.
RELATED | What you need to know for Day 1 of FIFA World Cup 2026 in Kansas City
Check back throughout the day for World Cup updates from Kansas City and Mexico. A reminder that Fan Fest wraps up today at 6 p.m.
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UPDATE, 2:25 p.m. | Mexico fans at FIFA Fan Fest Kansas City reacted after Mexico opened the scoring in their World Cup 2026 Group Stage match against South Africa.
UPDATE, 2 p.m. | Wondering what things cost at FIFA's Fan Fest Kansas City? We went to find out.
UPDATE, 1:50 p.m. | The crowd at FIFA Fan Fest Kansas City is overwhelmingly cheering for Mexico, but KSHB 41's Fernanda Silva did find some fans cheering on South Africa for the first match of the tournament, set to begin at 2 p.m.
UPDATE, 1:45 p.m. | After a 30-minute weather delay, FIFA World Cup fans were allowed into Fan Fest Kansas City ahead of a watch party for Mexico vs South Africa.
UPDATE, 1:30 p.m. | Here's the latest from KC2026 on the Fan Fest Delay:
Entry to the FIFA Fan Festival™ Kansas City is currently delayed due to weather conditions. Please follow instructions from on-site staff and check official KC2026 channels before traveling.#FIFAFanFestival #WeAreKansasCity #WeAre26 pic.twitter.com/GSRPmwR0Mz
— FIFA World Cup 26 Kansas City (@FWC26KansasCity) June 11, 2026
KSHB 41 Weather Meteorologist Wes Peery has been monitoring the storms over the last hour.
1:05pm THU--Showers and storms will be passing through the area over the next few hours.
— Wes Peery (@WesWeather) June 11, 2026
These may eventually become severe weather mainly SW of the KC Metro with the threats of hail and strong wind...low tornado chance#mowx #kswx #kcwx pic.twitter.com/g2eQ05yM5S
UPDATE, 1 p.m. | KSHB 41's Fernanda Silva and Addi Weakley are stationed outside of the entrance to Fan Fest and they report lots of fans are ready to get inside.
Around 1 p.m., Fan Fest officials announced a brief 30-minute weather delay as some small showers and lightning appeared in the area. Addi reports that volunteers are going through the line to verbally update fans.
Many of the fans waiting to get inside are wearing Mexican colors ahead of Mexico's game at 2 p.m.
UPDATE, 12:30 p.m. | KSHB 41's Fernanda Silva tracked down the first person to arrive in line for today's Fan Fest.
The fan arrived at 10:30 a.m., more than two hours before gates were scheduled to open. She's here to cheer on Mexico in their match this afternoon against South Africa.
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