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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.
READ THE ARTICLESoccer 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.
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.
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.
FIFA World Cup Mexico
Lamar and Clark Hunt traveled to Mexico to attend another FIFA World Cup. The Hunts watched Argentina defeat West Germany 3-2 for the country’s second World Cup title, 40 years before hosting the team at Kansas City’s first World Cup matchup in 2026.
FIFA World Cup Italy
Lamar Hunt brought his family to Italy for the FIFA World Cup. In a rematch of the 1986 World Cup, West Germany defeated Argentina 1-0 inside of Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
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.
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.
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)
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)
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)
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.
Kansas City Wizards win MLS Cup
In their fifth season, the Kansas City Wizards became the first Hunt Sports Group club to claim a major soccer title, defeating the Chicago Fire 1-0 to take home the MLS Cup. Additionally, Kansas City posted a 16-7-9 record and claimed the Supporter’s Shield, awarded to the club with the best regular season record, based on the MLS points system. The club would go on to win another MLS Cup in 2013 as Sporting KC.
(Credit: AP Photo/Stephen J. Boitano)
Columbus Crew win Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
In the presence of the U.S. Open Cup’s namesake, the Hunt Family-owned Columbus Crew defeated the 2002 MLS Cup champion and Supporter Shield winner LA Galaxy 1-0 to claim their only U.S. Open Cup win. The Crew reached the quarterfinal of the 2003 CONCACAF Champions’ Cup, eventually falling to runner-up Atlético Morelia.
FC Dallas
Lamar Hunt takes ownership of the Dallas Burn and rebrands the team as FC Dallas. With this purchase and re-brand, the Hunt Family announced a plan to build their second professional soccer-specific in the United States, now known as Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Kansas City Wizards win Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Kansas City Wizards won their first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the second such trophy for Hunt Sports Group teams. The Wizards defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0 in Washington D.C. As Sporting KC, the club went on to win three more Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups in 2012, 2015, and 2017.
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.
Columbus Crew win MLS Cup
The Hunt Family claimed their second MLS Cup after the Columbus Crew defeated the New York Red Bulls 3-1. The Crew claimed their second Supporter’s Shield after posting a 17-7-6 regular season record. The Crew went on to win two more MLS Cups in 2020 and 2023 and a third Supporter’s Shield in 2009.
(Credit: AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
FC Dallas win Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
FC Dallas won the trophy bearing Lamar Hunt’s name, defeating the New England Revolution at home to earn the U.S. Open Cup. FC Dallas also won the Supporter’s Shield in 2016, posting a 17-8-9 overall record.
(Credit: AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
National Soccer Hall of Fame Opens in Frisco, Texas
Clark and Dan Hunt led the effort to revitalize the National Soccer Hall of Fame, bringing the museum to Frisco, Texas, where it sits on the southern end of Toyota Stadium. The public-private partnership between FC Dallas, the City of Frisco, Frisco Independent School District, and the U.S. Soccer Federation has created a home for the past, present, and future of American soccer.
(Credit: AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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.
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.
Modifications at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
A multi-year renovation swung into full gear to ensure the playing surface at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium meets FIFA pitch regulations. To widen the pitch, more than 3,500 seats were removed from the lower seat bowl.
Kansas City hosts FIFA World Cup matches
Beginning on June 16 with Argentina vs Algeria, Kansas City hosted six FIFA World Cup matches through early July. The lineup included four group stage matchups, a round of 32, and a quarterfinal matchup, with participation from top teams in the world. Additionally, Kansas City served as a base camp for four FIFA World Cup teams including defending champion Argentina, the Netherlands, England, and Algeria.
Argentina v Algeria
Lionel Messi scored his first-ever World Cup hat trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria. The defending world champion became just the 10th player to score a World Cup hat trick this century and tied Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals.
Ecuador v Curaçao
Considered a contender to win the tournament, Ecuador faced a mightier foe than expected in Curaçao. Goalkeeper Eloy Room recorded the most saves in a 90-minute World Cup game with 15, leading to a shocking 0-0 draw and earning Curaçao their first-ever World Cup point.
Tunisia v Netherlands
The Orange Army and the famed Dutch Orange Bus received a warm welcome from Kansas City. The Orange Fanwalk flooded downtown before the rainy game, which Netherlands won 3-1. The Netherlands would go on to win their group and advance to the knockout stage.
Algeria v Austria
Many expected a passive affair when Algeria took on Austria, with a tie ensuring both teams advanced. However, both teams came out swinging to the tune of an exciting 3-3 finish, with each team scoring after the 90th minute.
Round of 32: Colombia v Ghana
Colombia advanced to the round of 16 for the third time in their history as Jhon Arias’ goal in the 14th minute proved too much for Ghana to overcome. Colombia would go on to fall to quarterfinalist Switzerland in a penalty shootout.
Quarterfinal: Argentina v Switzerland
The defending champions faced a determined Switzerland team, but a second bookable offense from a Switzerland player—this one for embellishing a foul—left the team down a man. Argentina scored twice in the second half of extra time to extend their lead to 3-1, sending them to a semifinal matchup against England.
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