Last week, Representative Sharice Davids hosted her fifth World Cup Community Conversation, bringing together local, state, regional, and federal officials, along with trade professionals and business experts. With the 2026 World Cup expected to bring over $650 million to the Kansas City area, these discussions are crucial for preparing the community to fully benefit from the event.

In 2018, an estimated 6.8 million tourists visited World Cup host cities. To ensure these visitors—along with players, coaches, and staff—can travel smoothly and safely between hotels, businesses, and stadiums, this conversation focused on the region’s hospitality needs. Previous discussions have addressed transportation, public health and safety, small business, and the broader impacts on local residents.

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids hosted her fifth community conversation to prepare the Kansas City metro area for the 2026 World Cup. Concerns are rising over potential staff cuts and a hiring freeze at the State Department, which could result in longer visa wait times and a $19 billion economic loss. The World Cup, alongside other major events like the Ryder Cup and U.S. 250th anniversary, is expected to bring millions of visitors to the U.S.

Rep. Davids highlighted the importance of securing federal funding and improving transportation for the expected 600,000 visitors to Kansas City. While larger cities hosting the event have better transit systems, Kansas City is still working on developing its infrastructure. With under 500 days until the event, local leaders are focused on addressing challenges like visa issues and funding to ensure the region is ready.