As many of you are already aware, Kansas City is preparing to welcome an estimated 650,000 soccer fans into our metro next summer for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, …and Rotary will be there for the action!
We’ve come together with our neighboring district in Kansas to form a World Cup-specific planning committee, co-chaired by Plaza Rotary Club International Service Chair Kathy Kopach and District 5710 PDG Stephanie Meyer. Conversations are underway about how to best welcome our guests, showcase Rotary, and bring attention to vital causes, including the prevalence of human trafficking at such events.
You’ll hear much more about these plans in the coming months (as they are solidified), but in the interim, we wanted to make you aware of a fantastic volunteer opportunity: As Kansas City prepares to host the world for FIFA World Cup 2026™, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to show the true meaning of Service Above Self.
The KC2026 Host Committee is recruiting more than 6,000 volunteers to help welcome fans, players, and visitors from around the globe— and we believe Rotary members are uniquely suited to lead the way. This is your chance to help showcase the heart of our city and extend Rotary hospitality to fellow Rotarians from around the world who will be visiting our region.
Whether it’s assisting with fan services, wayfinding, or city welcome efforts, volunteers will play a vital role in creating a warm, inclusive, and memorable experience for guests in the Heart of America.We hope you'll encourage your club members to apply to be part of this historic moment.
The deadline to sign up is September 15, 2025. Sign up here: https://volunteer.fifa.com/register
Special Notes for Rotary Members:
1. Volunteer Interviewers Needed: KC2026, the local organizing committee, is looking for 350 dedicated individuals to serve as volunteer interviewers. The interview phase will run from October through January, during which KC2026 and FIFA expect to assess over 12,000 candidates. To support this effort, they are seeking 350 volunteers to serve as FIFA World Cup KC 2026
Interviewers. Interviewer training will be conducted in mid-October, followed by the official start of interviews. Each interviewer is requested to commit to 1–2 shifts of approximately 2 hours during this phase. Those interested in serving as Volunteer Interviewers need to do two things:
Interviewers. Interviewer training will be conducted in mid-October, followed by the official start of interviews. Each interviewer is requested to commit to 1–2 shifts of approximately 2 hours during this phase. Those interested in serving as Volunteer Interviewers need to do two things:
-Sign Up to Volunteer
-Complete this Form
-Complete this Form
2. Rotary Code: On August 11, the official application process begins. You will receive notification once you have signed up. When you complete your volunteer application, please enter the code ROTARY in the “Group Code” field. This will help us track the number of Rotarians participating and, where possible, identify opportunities for Rotary members to serve together. While we cannot guarantee group assignments, we will do our best to keep Rotarians connected throughout this experience.
Let’s come together — across clubs and across the metro — to serve our community and show the world what Kansas City and Rotary are all about.
Kathy Kopach and Stephanie Meyer