DURING THE WORLD CUP THIS SUMMER
Riverside Mayor Kathy Rose believes it’s no coincidence that the Netherlands soccer team chose the Kansas City Current women’s soccer facility, located in Riverside, as its base camp for the FIFA World Cup later this year.
The Kansas City Current is an American professional soccer team based in Kansas City that competes in the National Women’s Soccer League. It was founded as an expansion team in 2021.
The Current has an $18 million training facility in Riverside, located at 1 Teal Rising Way. Opened in June 2022 as the first purpose-built NWSL training facility, it features two grass pitches, a turf pitch, and elite athletic facilities.
Rose said she sees the Netherlands and Kansas City as sharing values and cultural norms.
Rose added that Kansas City’s central location also contributed to FIFA’s decision to establish Kansas City as a World Cup destination.
Raven Jemison, president of the Kansas City Current, said the announcement follows several visits by the Netherlands and other soccer team officials to get a look at the field and facilities.
Therefore, the announcement earlier this month was not unexpected, but still counts as thrilling.
“I’ve worked in sports for a very long time and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Jemison said, adding that the choice cements Kansas City as a “preeminent sports destination” and is made even more important because of soccer’s status as a world sport.
The Current facilities will act as the Netherlands team’s “home away from home” and the team will be granted access not only to facilities, but also staff, Jemison said during a recent telephone interview.
As a World Cup site, Kansas City will host six matches June 16 through July 11 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Three other international teams will set up base camps at the following Kansas City area facilities: Algeria at Rock Chalk Park at the University of Kansas-Lawrence; Argentina at Sporting in Kansas City, Kan.; and England at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City.
Rose said she sees the upcoming World Cup as something that can “set us up for a whole lot of future events.”
In preparation for the World Cup, the Riverside mayor formed a committee of city staff, chamber officials, and citizens to organize details of stage setting.
The city is partnering with Go North KC to plan special events leading up to and during the games. Go North KC is a joint initiative between Clay and Platte Counties to showcase the Northland ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup—and beyond. Go North KC lists its mission as to “elevate the region as a destination for tourism, business and community pride.”
North Kansas City and Gladstone are just two Northland communities to offer a series of free special events, dubbed “watch parties.” These will include special events intended to create a party atmosphere, including drills and skills for kids, bounce houses, art walk, tractor trailers featuring video games and food trucks.
Rose, who has served as the top elected official in Riverside for the past 20 years, said being portrayed on “the world stage” comes with a responsibility.
“If there’s any time to please go out of our way to be welcoming and kind, this is the time,” the mayor remarked.
