Johnson County joins metro celebration for official one-year mark from FIFA World Cup 26™

Today officially marks one year from the first match of FIFA World Cup 26™! To celebrate, hundreds of people from around the metro came together at a KC2026 news conference at Union Station. Speakers included Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly, who invited the community to Johnson County for the upcoming kickoff celebration.

The Kansas City Kickoff takes place on Sunday, June 22, from 12-5 p.m. at the Aspiria Campus in Overland Park (6240 Sprint Pkwy.) This free, family-friendly experience will feature food, live music, interactive soccer activities, and information on volunteer opportunities with FIFA World Cup 26™. More information is available here.

"Johnson County is working closely with our partners to showcase the best of our region to the world," said Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly. "The World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show the rest of the country and the world what makes our entire region an amazing place to live, work and visit. We're excited to welcome one and all to our region."

Today's news conference also unveiled the metro's first FIFA countdown clock. This clock has a live countdown to the official start of FIFA World Cup 26™. FIFA will install countdown clocks in central and iconic locations across all 2026 Host Cities.

Several members of the Board of County Commissioners attended the news conference, as did County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson and members of leadership and staff.

To keep up to date on FIFA World Cup 26™, please visit kansascityfwc26.com.

Left Photo: Bo McCall, World Cup Special Project Manager; Commissioner Janeé Hanzlick; Erin Winn, Governmental Relations Coordinator; Joshua Powers, Transit Division Director; Commissioner Becky Fast; Chairman Mike Kelly; Commissioner Julie Brewer; County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson; Deputy County Manager Julie Karins; Assistant County Manager Aaron Otto; Jody Hanson, Deputy Director of Communications and Engagement

Right Photo: Deputy County Manager Julie Karins; Commissioner Becky Fast; County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson; Commissioner Julie Brewer; Commissioner Shirley Allenbrand; Commissioner Janeé Hanzlick; Commissioner Jeff Meyers; Chairman Mike Kelly