Soccer fans flock to Kansas City to witness 2026 World Cup quarterfinal

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Saturday marked the final match day in Kansas City and the end of the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals.

The city has embraced fans and teams from across the globe during World Cup events and matches in Kansas City — and Saturday was no different.

Those who gathered at Fan Fest and watch parties across the metro saw Argentina defeat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time at Kansas City Stadium.

Argentina now faces England in the World Cup semi-finals Wednesday in Atlanta.

On Friday, fans from Argentina and Switzerland — as well as Kansas Citians wanting to join the fun — took part in celebrations ahead of Saturday's match.

FIFA Fan Fest started at noon and ran through until 10 p.m. Saturday.

Argentina fans took over Mill Creek Park during a banderazo Friday night, bringing culture and celebration to the Country Club Plaza. Meanwhile, Switzerland fans gathered in the Power & Light District to leave their mark on the city.

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UPDATE, 7:30 p.m. | Excitement is building among fans at Kansas City Stadium as Argentina prepares to take on Switzerland. The match kicks off at 8 p.m.

Reed Hoffmann/AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann

UPDATE, 6:46 p.m. | England defeats Norway 2-1 after extra time in the quarterfinals match at Miami Stadium.

England will face the winner of the Argentina vs. Switzerland quarterfinals match.

Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

UPDATE, 6:05 p.m. | Attendees at FIFA Fan Fest wait for the results of the Norway vs. England match as it went into extra time.

Sam Hartle/KSHB

Julio Cortez/AP Photo/Julio Cortez

UPDATE, 5:18 p.m. | KSHB 41 reporter Braden Bates provides an update from the final day of FIFA Fan Fest.

UPDATE, 4:45 p.m. | Sights from the Switzerland fan march captured by KSHB 41's Alyssa Jackson.

Fans marched down Grand Boulevard from Power and Light on Saturday.

Alyssa Jackson/KSHB

Alyssa Jackson/KSHB

UPDATE, 4:40 p.m. | The All-American Rejects "brought the energy" during their performance at FIFA Fan Fest.

Chase McNamara/KSHB

The band's performance drew a large crowd on the final day of the festival.

UPDATE, 4:35 p.m. | KSHB 41 reporter Alyssa Jackson provides an update from the Switzerland fan walk Saturday.

UPDATE, 4 p.m. | Fans are braving long lines to get into the last day of FIFA Fan Fest.

Braden Bates/KSHB

Braden Bates/KSHB

UPDATE, 3:55 p.m. | Switzerland fans are getting ready to participate in a fan march starting at Power and Light.

Alyssa Jackson/KSHB

UPDATE, 3:41 p.m. | General admission entry is now back open at FIFA Fan Fest.

UPDATE, 3:30 p.m. | FIFA Fan Fest has reached full capacity, temporarily pausing entry for General Admission passes.

Premium Garden and Legacy Passes still have guaranteed admission.

UPDATE, 2:50 p.m. | Attendees enjoyed Kansas City native Tech N9ne's performance.

Chase McNamara/KSHB

UPDATE, 1 p.m. | Dom Chronicles is bringing the vibes at FIFA Fan Fest.

UPDATE, 12:50 p.m. | "It's been an honor to welcome so many passionate fans and international visitors to the region. I hope you saw the great things Kansas and the KC Metro have to offer, and that you'll be back again soon," Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said in social media post Saturday.

UPDATE, 12:15 p.m. | Kickball Dad, an internet personality, is at FIFA Fan Fest, and he said he understands the hype.

UPDATE, 11 a.m. | Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas took to social media earlier this morning to talk about the World Cup in Kansas City.

"It’s been wonderful to witness the world fall in love with Kansas City," Lucas said in part in the social media post.

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