Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe is asking for an additional $40.5 million to help Kansas City prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing the state’s total investment in the event to more than $110 million. The request comes as the region gets ready for one of the biggest events in sports, which will bring hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world to the city.
Why Does Kansas City Need Extra Money?
Kansas City, chosen as one of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup, is facing many challenges in preparing for the massive event. The World Cup will include six matches in the summer of 2026, and the city expects a large influx of visitors, which will put pressure on things like security, transportation, and public services.
One of the biggest issues the city faces is the lack of rail transportation between Kansas City International Airport and downtown. Without a rail system, the city will have to rely on buses, taxis, ride-sharing, and rental cars to move people around. Organizers estimate that at least 200 buses will be needed to transport fans.
Another concern is security. With such a large crowd, the city will need extra police officers and security personnel to keep everyone safe. Governor Kehoe’s proposal includes money for additional security measures, but it’s unclear exactly how the money will be divided among different agencies.
What Will the Money Be Used For?
The $40.5 million request is part of a much larger state budget of $53.7 billion. Governor Kehoe’s office has said that about half of the funding will go toward enhancing security in the area. This could involve increasing the number of police officers or paying for more security services.
A significant portion of the funds – around $17 million – will go directly to KC2026, the organization in charge of planning and organizing the World Cup activities in Kansas City. KC2026 has already budgeted over $100 million to prepare for the event, with a large part of that budget going toward transportation costs. Kansas and Missouri are each expected to contribute $7 million to cover some of these expenses, but building a permanent transit system, like a light rail, would cost billions of dollars.
The rest of the funding is planned for promoting the World Cup and making sure the city is ready to welcome tourists from around the globe.
Will the Request Be Approved?
The Missouri General Assembly will need to decide whether to approve Governor Kehoe’s request for the additional funding. While many local lawmakers support the idea, the decision will ultimately rest with legislators from across the state. Some, like Senate Republican Mike Cierpiot, believe the investment is important because the World Cup will put Kansas City “on the world stage.”
However, not all lawmakers are immediately on board. Representative Ben Baker, a Republican from Neosho, said he is usually cautious about spending taxpayer money on events like the World Cup. But he did acknowledge that the event could bring significant economic benefits to the region.
The proposal is likely to get bipartisan support, but it is still uncertain whether lawmakers across the state will agree on the amount of funding needed.
Additional Support Could Come from Congress
In addition to state funding, Kansas City could also receive federal support. U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, a Republican from Kansas, has been working on legislation to provide cities like Kansas City with grants for transportation projects related to the World Cup. These funds would help cover the costs of building new roads or improving public transportation systems. While the bill didn’t pass last year, Moran’s office has said they are working on bringing it back for a vote this year.
Kansas City is one of 16 cities across North America that will host matches for the 2026 World Cup. The event is expected to bring huge crowds and economic benefits to the area, but only if the necessary investments are made to ensure the city can handle the massive number of visitors.
Conclusion
Governor Kehoe’s request for $40.5 million is a big step toward ensuring that Kansas City can handle the challenges of hosting the World Cup. The funding will go toward essential areas like security, transportation, and event promotion. Whether the Missouri General Assembly approves the request remains to be seen, but lawmakers are recognizing the importance of preparing for one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
(Source : newsbreak.com)
