IRC Summer of Global Goals

Every four years, the World Cup brings together fans from around the globe to celebrate the most widely popular sport in the world: football (or soccer, if you’re American). This year’s tournament broke a number of records, including the most teams ever competing (48) and the first time three countries have co-hosted the event (Mexico, Canada, and the United States). Not only does the major sporting event have a rich and complicated history, but this year’s historic nature introduces brand new impacts for Kansas City as a first-time host city. After six games, guests in the hundreds of thousands, and complicated shifts in politics and infrastructure, Kansas City will end the summer much differently than it was at the start.

This program showcases four UMKC professors of various disciplines to discuss the history, cultural shifts, and environmental impacts of the World Cup on Kansas City. ESU members and Friends of ESU are invited to join IRC members for this free program. Registration is required.

When: Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 6:00 PM
Where: Strange Days Brewing Co., 316 Oak St., KCMO