Reporter Fernanda Silva is part of the KSHB 41 News team covering FIFA World Cup 2026 in Kansas City. Share your story idea with Fernanda.
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The first match in the FIFA World Cup 2026 is set for this Thursday, when host nation Mexico takes the pitch against South Africa.
Kansas City soccer fans will see their first World Cup action on June 16 when defending champion Argentina takes on Algeria.
LINK | KSHB 41 News FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage
KSHB 41’s Fernanda Silva had a behind-the-scenes tour of “Kansas City Stadium” on Monday as FIFA and Kansas City Chiefs officials make final preparations for the venue’s first-ever World Cup match.
“I think I’m just excited for the beginning,” FIFA World Cup 2026 Venue Director of Operations Luiz Andre Mello said Monday. “There is a lot of anticipation. I’m anxious to start it.”
Mello temporarily moved from Brazil to Kansas City almost 18 months ago for this exact moment. As the FIFA World Cup 2026 Venue Director of Operations, his job is to make sure Kansas City Stadium is ready for soccer.
"It's crazy how close we are," Mello said. "But we still have a lot to do.”
For Mello, the moment carries a personal significance.
"When I was back in Brazil, I was just looking at the games here, all this history behind one of the loudest stadiums, and to actually have the football, our football, being played here, it amazes me," Mello said.
There’s no changing the red and gold seats of GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium or the iconic silhouette of the stands, but the stadium has been remade ahead of this year’s World Cup in nearly every other way.
A new field (or pitch) has been installed that meets FIFA’s specifications. Many of the familiar signs and advertising billboards have been swapped for FIFA sponsors or are now showing World Cup signage.
Instead of each team being assigned a sideline as in an NFL game, both countries playing in a match will be set on the same sideline, not too far apart, and underneath a protective shell.
“It’s really gratifying to see it get to this stage,” Kansas City Chiefs Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Matt Kenny said. "The team's been working in the offseason for the past several years. Here we are, a week out from our match."
Kenny said that despite the changes, Chiefs fans will still feel at home.
"I think the Kansas City faithful will absolutely recognize pieces of the stadium that let people know they're at the home of the Chiefs," Kenny said.
Chiefs fans will also recognize some familiar flavors while seeing some new options.
Leaders are expecting sold-out games and are hoping fans bring the energy Kansas City is known for — but for a different kind of football.
"Arrowhead's the loudest stadium in the world. Kansas City Stadium will potentially be the loudest stadium in the tournament," Kenny said.
He noted that the game day experience will look different from a typical Chiefs game, particularly regarding transportation.
"Our exterior, the infrastructure to move people from across the globe to have the transportation needs, all the hospitality infrastructure is very different than what a Chiefs game day looks like. So there's just less parking, right? There's less parking, and that's not necessarily the mode of transport that most of the folks internationally will come with," Kenny said.
The stadium will host four group-stage matches, a round-of-32 match, and a quarterfinal match in this year’s World Cup.
Here are some photos from Monday's tour:
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