State officials share security, travel plans for World Cup | State News

JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri leaders say years of planning and millions of dollars in funding are going into security and coordination ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 matches coming to Kansas City this summer.

Gov. Mike Kehoe met Monday in Jefferson City with federal, state and local law enforcement leaders to discuss preparations for the six matches set to take place at Arrowhead Stadium.

The discussion included state public safety officials with the Missouri Department of Public Safety, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri National Guard, as well as local leaders with the Kansas City Police Department and KC2026.

Officials expect hundreds of thousands of visitors to travel to Missouri for the tournament and surrounding events.

“Kansas City will have its defining moment,” Kehoe said.

Kehoe also noted that the state is entering the final stretch of preparations.

“As I mentioned, in just 60 days, Kansas City will have its defining moment as a world stage for America’s soccer capital,” Kehoe said.  

He emphasized that safety planning has been years in the making.

“Years of coordination and preparation has gone into ensuring residents, visitors and fans are safe,” Kehoe said. “Today’s conversation further shows that we are committing to a multi-agency and coordinated effort.”

The governor also signed an executive order activating Missouri’s State Emergency Operations Plan ahead of the tournament, which allows state agencies to coordinate directly with local jurisdictions to expedite assistance. It also activates the Missouri National Guard to assist local law enforcement with security operations throughout associated events.

The Missouri Department of Public Safety is managing $14.2 million in federal funding for counter-drone efforts and a $50 million Department of Homeland Security grant to support law enforcement, transportation and emergency services.

More than 100 Highway Patrol personnel will deploy to Kansas City, and about 110 Missouri National Guard members will serve as a visible security presence at key locations including the stadium, Fan Fest and airports.

Kehoe said security planning must remain flexible.

“We live in an ever-changing world with technology,” he said. “Trying to stay one step ahead of what that might look like is always a challenge.”

Federal officials said agencies are staying vigilant to any possible threats at the World Cup and are being trained for them.

Kehoe said the economic and tourism impact will extend beyond Kansas City as international visitors travel across the state between matches.

“The ripple effect out of the Kansas City area will be significant,” he said. “It will affect, especially from a fan base, mid-Missouri.”

Kehoe pointed to destinations including Lake of the Ozarks, Springfield, Branson and Route 66 as attractions visitors may explore.

“A lot of these fans who might be coming into the region to go to a game or two, in between those games, they’ll be traveling,” Kehoe said.

He added the tournament provides global exposure for Missouri.

“Having the World Cup in Kansas City is exposure that our state will get that, quite frankly, we couldn’t afford in any other manner,” he said.

KC2026 CEO Pam Kramer called the tournament a major opportunity for the region.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for us,” Kramer said. “When we do this right, visitors won’t see complexity behind the scenes — they will simply experience a welcoming, world-class Kansas City region.”

Kramer said organizers aim to ensure safety while creating long-term economic benefits.

“You cannot have a successful event or meaningful community impact without a safe, secure and well-coordinated environment,” Kramer said.

Stacey Graves, chief of the Kansas City Police Department, said planning began the moment Kansas City was named a host city.

“KCPD has joined over 400 stakeholders for planned meetings,” Graves said. “We are World Cup ready.”

Officials say collaboration across agencies will continue in the months leading up to the matches, which run from June 16 through July 11.