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From the moment Lamar Hunt fell in love with soccer overseas, he had a vision of experiencing its unmatched enthusiasm with his community back home. Now that Kansas City is hosting six matches of the FIFA World Cup, it’s safe to say that community has embraced it.

Lamar Hunt was a key figure in the growth of soccer in the United States, and Clark Hunt proudly carries on that legacy today. As the world comes to Kansas City to celebrate what’s sure to be an exciting tournament, here’s a look back at a journey 64 years in the making that has changed soccer fandom forever.

The Cup in KC: A Timeline

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1962-1966

Soccer earns a new fan

During a visit to Ireland in 1962, Lamar Hunt attended a Shamrock Rovers match. This was his first time attending a professional soccer game, and it immediately inspired him. His love for the game grew when he watched the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final on television.

Lamar Hunt pictured with a television camera
The Dallas Tornado pose for a team photo in 1976

1967

North American Soccer League

Lamar Hunt, determined to build soccer’s popularity in the United States by using American football venues, helped establish the North American Soccer League (NASL). He also cofounded the NASL’s Dallas Tornado.

1974

FIFA World Cup West Germany

Alongside his father, Clark Hunt attended his first FIFA World Cup at age 9. Lamar and Clark would forever share a bond over their lifelong love of the sport.

Lamar and Clark Hunt at a 1974 FIFA World Cup game in West Germany
Lamar and Clark Hunt at a 1986 FIFA World Cup game in Mexico

1986

FIFA World Cup Mexico

Lamar and Clark Hunt traveled to Mexico to attend another FIFA World Cup.

1990

FIFA World Cup Italy

Lamar Hunt brought his family to Italy for the FIFA World Cup.

The Hunt family attends the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy
Members of the Hunt family at a 1994 World Cup game in Boston

1994

FIFA World Cup United States

The United States hosted its first-ever FIFA World Cup, an event Clark Hunt described as a “dream come true.” Domestic popularity surpassed every expectation, validating Lamar Hunt’s long-held thesis about his country’s appetite for soccer.

1995

Kansas City Wiz

Lamar Hunt founded the Kansas City Wiz, a team which would later be introduced as a charter member of Major League Soccer. They would later be called the Kansas City Wizards. They are known as Sporting Kansas City today.

The Kansas City Wiz play the LA Galaxy during the inaugural season
In this April 6, 1996, file photo, Major League Soccer luminaries, from right, owners representative Lamar Hunt, actor Andrew Shue, MLS Commissioner Douglas Logan, Chairman Alan Rothenberg, and FIFA representative Joao Havelange, gather on the field before the start of the league's inaugural game in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Craig Fujii, File)

1996

Major League Soccer

Lamar Hunt became a founding investor in Major League Soccer (MLS). The Hunt family operated franchises in multiple cities at once, including Columbus and Kansas City. The first MLS match in Kansas City history was played at Arrowhead Stadium, a venue that also hosted the Wizards in a match against the U.S. Olympic Team.

(Credit: AP Photo/Craig Fujii, File)

1998

Columbus Crew Stadium

Thanks to Lamar Hunt, the first modern soccer-specific stadium in the U.S. broke ground. It opened the following year in front of nearly 25,000 fans.

(Credit: AP Photo/Chris Putman)

The nation's first stadium built specifically for professional soccer games opens Saturday, May 15, 1999, in a city known more for Woody Hayes and his 'three yards of dust.' The stadium for the MLS team, the Columbus Crew, is shown during an open house May 8, 1999 in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Chris Putman)
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup soccer final trophy sits on a stage at midfield after a FC Dallas, New England Revolution match, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

1999

Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

The U.S. Open Cup, which is the country’s oldest ongoing soccer competition, renamed itself the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup to honor Lamar’s contributions to growing the game in the United States.

(Credit: AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

1999

Soccer at Arrowhead Stadium

Soccer returned to Arrowhead Stadium during the 1999 Women’s U.S. Cup. The U.S. Women’s National Team prevailed over Finland with a score of 6-0 on October 7, 1999.

A U.S. Women's National Team player signs autographs
Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber presents the trophy to the Kansas City Wizards after they defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0 in the MLS Cup in Washington, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2000. Credit: AP Photo/Stephen J. Boitano

2000

Kansas City Wizards win MLS Cup

(Credit: AP Photo/Stephen J. Boitano)

2002

Columbus Crew win Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Lamar and Clark Hunt photographed with the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy in 2002
Lamar Hunt on the FC Dallas pitch in 2005

2003

FC Dallas

Lamar Hunt purchased FC Dallas, formerly known as the Dallas Burn.

2004

Kansas City Wizards win Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

The 2004 Kansas City Wizards with the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy
A statue of Lamar Hunt at Toyota Stadium prior to an FC Dallas game

2006

Lamar Hunt leaves a legacy

On December 13, 2006, Lamar Hunt passed away. His life and multisport legacy was celebrated by many, including the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

2018-2022

Kansas City named 2026 FIFA World Cup host city

After a four-year process that began with Kansas City as a candidate host city in the United Bid of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, Kansas City was named a FIFA World Cup 2026 host city.

Clark Hunt speaks at a celebration after Kansas City was officially named a FIFA World Cup 2026 host city
A FIFA World Cup 26 Kansas City graphic displayed on the video board in Kansas City

2024

FIFA announces matches

Kansas City was awarded the opportunity to host six matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including matches featuring Argentina and the Netherlands, as well as a prestigious quarterfinal match.

2025

Construction begins

Renovations were made to the playing field and lower bowl seating sections to meet FIFA pitch regulations.

The field under renovations to prepare for FIFA World Cup 26
A FIFA World Cup 26 soccer ball is pictured on the field in Kansas City

2026

Kansas City hosts FIFA World Cup matches

KC's World Cup Matches

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