The Johnson County Board of Commissioners in Kansas City, Missouri, recently approved the acquisition of 50 multi-passenger coach vehicles to address transportation needs during the FIFA 2026 World Cup. The decision, made by a 6-1 vote, will see the county secure a lease for 50 Ford F650 Glaval Concord III passenger vans, each capable of transporting up to 35 passengers. This move comes in anticipation of high demand for passenger transportation both nationally and locally during the World Cup event.
Johnson County Transit Director Josh Powers emphasized the urgency of securing these vehicles to meet the expected transportation demands associated with the World Cup. Powers highlighted the national issue of vehicle availability during the event and stressed the importance of acting swiftly to reserve vehicles for potential use in Johnson County in 2026.
The Kansas City region is set to host six World Cup matches at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in the summer of 2026. To accommodate the participating teams, three base camps will be established in the area, including the KC Current’s training facility in Riverside, Sporting KC’s training center in Kansas City, Kansas, and the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Each base camp will be linked to a specific hotel for the teams, namely Hotel Kansas City – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at the Convention Center, and the Stonehill Lawrence, Trademark Collection by Wyndham.
With the Overland Park Sheraton hosting one of the base camps, Powers acknowledged the potential transportation challenges that may arise during the event. To address this, Johnson County Transit is collaborating with their operations contractor, Transdev, to explore the possibility of bringing in drivers from other parts of the country to assist during the World Cup.
The funding for the leased vehicles will come from $1.3 million in federal funds, supplemented by an additional $300,000 from the county’s reserves. Powers emphasized the importance of ensuring that Johnson County Transit has the capacity to respond to transportation needs within the county while maintaining regular transit services throughout the World Cup event.
As preparations for the 2026 World Cup ramp up across the metro area, the availability of vehicles remains a primary concern for stakeholders. By securing a lease for 50 multi-passenger coach vehicles, Johnson County is taking proactive steps to address potential transportation challenges and ensure a smooth and efficient experience for all involved in the World Cup festivities.