Of the 11 U.S. cities to host FIFA World Cup games, Kansas City is the most unlikely — but also among the most deserving. The story of how KC turned itself into one of the nation’s premier soccer cities is the subject of the book: “Perfect Pitch: How Kansas City Became the Heart of American Soccer,” by Nate Bukaty and Rustin Dodd.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), Bukaty describes the journey, from the early days of immigrants playing on local fields to the first professional teams through the triumphs of Sporting KC and the KC Current. The momentum continued not only with games in the World Cup, but four base camps in the Kansas City area.

The world’s largest sporting event is coming to the middle of America because, as Bukaty notes, Kansas City earned the bid.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

In less than a month, the first FIFA World Cup game will be played in Kansas City, and it won’t take that long for fans of teams with base camps here to begin arriving.

So, what can KC expect?

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), Ignaciao Bottaro, a journalist from Buenos Aires, shares his thoughts on Argentina’s quest to defending its World Cup title that begins in Kansas City. Bottaro was in town recently, reporting for Telefe Noticias, and he tells us his impressions of Kansas City.

After a break you’ll hear from Daniel Oordt, the “Orange Suit Man,” of the Dutch fan base. Fans of the Netherlands all wear orange when cheering for their team. Oordt is the maxed out version, a life-long supporter of a national team that has brought him joy and heartbreak. He explains why.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

0:50 - Welcome to all things World Cup

05:54 - An Argentinian’s first impression of KC

19:04 - Why KC might want to root for the Netherlands during the World Cup

27:39 - What else is on Blair’s radar

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

With the FIFA World Cup opening game less than a month away — and less than five weeks before the first match is played in Kansas City — some recent indicators question the event’s expected size and scope.

Hotel rooms remain available, as do tickets to most games, heightening fans’ frustrations.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), columnist Vahe Gregorian discusses the latest developments, and KC2026 president Pam Kramer responds to some of the reports as Kansas City prepares for its World Cup close-up.

Fan Fest numbers are strong in Kansas City, Kramer says, and each of the six games is trending toward to sellout as anticipation builds for the world’s biggest sporting event.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.