From Topeka to the World Cup: Washburn Spirit Squads Head to FIFA Fan Festival™

Topeka, Kan. - Washburn University will be well-represented at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Kansas City this summer - not on the pitch, but alongside soccer fans from around the globe. The Washburn Cheer and Dance teams are working FIFA Fan Festival at the National WWI Museum and Memorial, an event featuring live entertainment, official FIFA World Cup merchandise vendors and global cuisine.

Washburn's spirit squads will work Fan Fest on all six match dates which are June 16, 20, 25 and 27, as well as July 3 and 11. Cheer and dance team members along with the mascot team, coaches and even some family members will assist soccer fans while raising money for the upcoming performance season. Tia Benyshek, campus spirit coordinator and head cheerleading/mascot coach at Washburn, says this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"What makes this opportunity so special for our students is that it takes our entire spirit squad family working together," Benyshek said. "Our teams are excited to be part of the energy and excitement surrounding the World Cup. FIFA Fan Festival allows us to represent Washburn while gaining real-world experience at one of the world's biggest sporting events - all while raising funds that directly support our student-athletes throughout the year."

Washburn's Cheer and Dance teams fundraise annually to help pay for national competition and to cover expenses such as uniforms, signs, poms, flags and other items. They perform at football and basketball games and also make appearances at numerous campus and community events.

Kansas City is a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026, hosting six matches at Arrowhead Stadium between June 16 and July 11. Organizers expect more than 650,000 visitors and an estimated $650 million economic impact across the region, making it one of the largest events in Kansas City history. Competing soccer teams include Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Curaçao, Ecuador, Netherlands and Tunisia.

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