Kansas City, Mo., June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Marking One Year to Go until the FIFA World Cup 26
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“We are incredibly proud to have the support of both Populous, a global design firm specializing in sports and entertainment, headquartered in Kansas City, and Purina, a leading pet care and nutrition company deeply rooted in our Animal Health Corridor,” said Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026. “Their commitment as Host City Supporters signifies our talent, strength and diversity as a region that has already arrived on the world stage. Kansas City is prepared to showcase its vibrant atmosphere, strong sports culture and economic opportunities to 650,000 visitors and five billion viewers worldwide.”
The first match of the FIFA World Cup 26
- Group Stage Tuesday, June 16, 2026
- Group Stage Saturday, June 20, 2026
- Group Stage Thursday, June 25, 2026
- Group Stage Saturday, June 27, 2026
- Round of 32 Friday, July 3, 2026
- Quarter-Final Saturday, July 11, 2026
Official Kansas City World Cup 2026 Host City Supporters
Official Supporters of the Kansas City World Cup 2026 Host City are key civic and brand partners who are helping bring FIFA World Cup 26
Populous, a Global Design Firm Rooted in Kansas City
Populous, a global design firm specializing in sports and entertainment with deep Kansas City roots, is supporting KC2026 in delivering a world-class Host City experience for FIFA World Cup 26
“So many of the spaces and experiences we’ve designed have been at the heart of historic moments,” said Bruce Miller, global chair and CEO of Populous. “Hosting the FIFA World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime event not just for the greater Kansas City area, but for the entire Midwest region. We’re honored to lend our global expertise to help Kansas City shine under this brightest of spotlights, and we’re ready to assist in delivering an experience that World Cup fans will never forget.”
Populous designs iconic spaces for the world’s most renowned names in sports and entertainment, from stadiums and arenas to event spaces and urban environments. The firm’s work includes Arrowhead Stadium, Children’s Mercy Park and Kauffman Stadium. Beyond Kansas City, Populous has led architectural design for some of the most iconic event spaces in the world, including Las Vegas’s Sphere, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman International Stadium (which will host the FIFA World Cup 34
Populous, recognized by Fast Company as a Most Innovative Company six times, earned the No. 1 spot in architecture in 2022. Notably, Populous is involved with 11 of the 16 FIFA World Cup 26
Purina, Making KC the Most Pet-Friendly FIFA World Cup 26
Whether engaging with fans at the upcoming Kansas City Kickoff community event on June 22 or at next summer’s FIFA Fan Festival
“It’s a great honor to work alongside KC2026 and show the world the tremendous fandom, culture and love for pets we have in the midwestern United States,” said Andrea Faccio, president and chief growth officer at Purina. “We’re on a mission to celebrate and showcase the shared passions for sport and pets, and all of us at Purina are overjoyed to have the opportunity to exhibit the remarkable power of pets on the global stage at KC2026.”
Purina’s belief that pets and people are better together is illustrated in its partnership with St. Louis CITY SC of Major League Soccer, where Purina helped deliver the nation’s first permanent pet-friendly section within a soccer stadium, the Purina Club, in 2023.
Purina has contributed more than $150 million toward organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive. Among these initiatives is the Purple Leash Project, which creates safe spaces for domestic abuse survivors and their pets.
A global leader in pet care and nutrition, Purina is at the forefront of scientifically based nutritional innovations and cutting-edge research and development. Purina is based in St. Louis and is an industry leader in a region that is home to the world’s largest concentration of animal health companies. Across Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma and Arkansas, the six-state KC2026 marketing territory, Purina operates 11 manufacturing, research and corporate office facilities, accounting for roughly half of its total U.S. workforce.
The Countdown to 2026
KC2026, together with special guests and state and local elected leaders, unveiled two versions of countdown clocks that will be present throughout Kansas and Missouri leading up to the FIFA World Cup 26
A set of custom Kansas City heart-shaped countdown clocks was fabricated by a Kansas design/build company over seven weeks, made of aluminum and steel and standing at just under 10 feet tall. One clock will be on display in Kansas City at Union Station, where it was unveiled Wednesday. The other will be unveiled in Johnson County, Kansas, later in June.
In addition to Kansas City’s countdown clocks, FIFA has supplied two clocks to commemorate next year’s competition. FIFA countdown clocks will be installed in central and iconic locations across all 2026 Host Cities, counting down to June 11, when the greatest soccer tournament kicks off in North America. Kansas City’s FIFA countdown clocks will be on display throughout the region at locations that will be announced at a later date.
Kramer invites social media users to participate by sharing their photos featuring the clock. They can use the hashtag #KCCountdown and tag and follow @FWC26KansasCity to follow the clocks’ progress throughout the coming year.
One Year to Kickoff in Kansas City
The Countdown to 2026 festivities will continue throughout the month: on June 22 at the Aspiria campus in Overland Park, KC2026 will host the Kansas City Kickoff community event, a day of free family fun and an opportunity to learn about the FIFA World Cup 26
At the event, the community is invited to learn about KC2026, Host City Supporters, resources for small businesses and volunteer opportunities. Prospective volunteers can now register their interest ahead of the August application period. For more updates in the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 26
FIFA World Cup 26
The FIFA World Cup 26
Group stage matchups will be determined by the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 26
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About KC2026
A nonprofit organization overseeing strategy and delivering Host City duties for the FIFA World Cup 26
About Greater Kansas City
Home to 2.5 million people, Kansas City is a vibrant metro in the heart of the U.S., known as the “KC Heartland.” An all-new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport welcomes guests by air, while 85% of the U.S. is less than a two-day drive away. The region’s red-hot sports culture is embraced every season, headlined by the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City and the National Women’s Soccer League’s Kansas City Current.
Kansas City, home to renowned arts and culture, offers live entertainment in the downtown Power & Light District, as well as 40 jazz clubs throughout the area. Find food from James Beard Award-winning chefs and sample true KC tradition at more than 100 barbecue restaurants across the metro. Dive into some of the country’s most significant historical moments at KC’s treasured institutions, from the National WWI Museum and Memorial and the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum. Learn more at KC.org.
About The FIFA World Cup 26
The FIFA World Cup 26
About Populous
Populous is a global design firm that began with a singular focus — to draw people together around the things they love, through experiences that capture all the senses and amplify the pure emotion shared in human moments. Over the last 40+ years, the firm has designed more than 3,500 projects worth over $60 billion across emerging and established markets. Populous’ comprehensive services include architecture, interior design, event planning and overlay, branded environments, wayfinding, and graphics, planning and urban design, landscape architecture, aviation and transport design, hospitality and sustainable design consulting. Populous has over 1,500 employees in 32 global offices on four continents with regional centers in Kansas City, London and Brisbane. For more information, visit populous.com.
About Purina
Nestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations.
Purina manufactures some of the world’s most trusted and popular pet care products, including Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Friskies and Tidy Cats. Our more than 11,000 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat and litter brands that feed 46 million dogs and 68 million cats every year. Nearly 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition.
Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive.
Purina is part of Nestlé, a global leader in Nutrition, Health and Wellness. For more information, visit purina.com or subscribe here to get the latest Purina news.
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