Kansas City’s World Cup branding draws on ‘City of Fountains’ nickname. See all 6 logos
An apparent nod to Kansas City’s fountains will be part of the branding for the city worldwide ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the international soccer organization FIFA announced Thursday.
Soccer’s world governing body, the Federation Internationale de Football Association, for the first time will have unique branding for each of the 16 host cities of the World Cup tournament. The official unveiling occurred at 2 a.m. Kansas City time Thursday.
The official FIFA World Cup 26 brand includes an image of the World Cup Trophy along with the number 26, depicting the year 2026.
Six logos were released for Kansas City’s branding, including one that says “We are Kansas City,” along with curves that appear to be sprays from a fountain — an apparent acknowledgment of the city’s nickname, “City of Fountains.”
“This is a proud moment for Kansas City,” Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a statement. “World Cup will bring jobs to our residents, generate hundreds of millions of dollars for our region, and will illustrate on a global stage what we’ve known for some time: Kansas City is the soccer capital of America. I can’t wait to welcome the world to Kansas City.”
A new conference was held at 11 a.m. Thursday for a “major announcement regarding the FIFA World Cup” that included several city and state leaders.
The World Cup branding was scheduled to start going up across the Kansas City area Thursday. Plans include:
Banners to be installed between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at Union Station.
Branding to be painted on the lawn at Mill Creek Park beginning at 8 a.m.
The north lawn of the National WWI Museum and Memorial to be painted with the brand beginning about 12:30 p.m.
A Kansas City Streetcar wrapped with the brand will premier around 12 p.m.
The Kansas City cityscape will be light in the branding colors around 9 p.m.
The branding will appear on digital displays across the metro throughout the day.
Union Station officials said they were thrilled to help unveil the new branding.
“Time and again, Union Station conveys important messages of remembrance, celebration and anticipation,” George Guastello, president & CEO at Union Station Kansas City, said in a statement.
“In this case, we once again look forward and across our diverse local landscape with anticipation as Kansas City celebrates on the world stage and is propelled into a vital and vibrant future. It’s moments like these — one following the next — that create the next generation of priceless individual memories and collective opportunities.”
Matthew Naylor, president and CEO of the National WWI Museum and Memorial said: “The National WWI Museum and Memorial is thrilled to serve as Kansas City’s front porch once again and support the brand unveiling for this historic event. This is where Kansas City comes to gather, and we can’t wait to welcome the world in 2026.”
