World Cup fever hits Kansas City: Fans gather from Current Landing to backyard barbecues

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The World Cup is here, and Kansas City is showing up in a big way.

On Saturday, soccer fans across the city gathered to watch the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams take on Germany - from a massive official watch party at Current Landing to living rooms filled with Argentina supporters.

The Kansas City Current hosted an official World Cup watch party at Current Landing, drawing hundreds of fans eager to cheer on both the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams as they faced Germany.

For many in attendance, the energy was about more than just the final score.

“I mean the Midwest is love. I hope that everyone gets to see how different the Midwest is to the rest of America,” said Nikki Blackwell, a soccer fan who attended the event.

Across the city in Johnson County, dozens of Argentina natives packed into a home hosted by Adriana Smith for a cozier, but equally electric, watch party experience.

As Argentina’s match played on, the passion in the room was impossible to miss. Smith described the unmistakable energy of watching soccer with fellow Argentinians.

“The Argentinian when they watch, they start to get into the match. They start to ‘pass it over there, no what are you doing?’” Smith said.

Even the uncertainty of the tournament added to the excitement.

“In all honestly we didn’t know if Argentina would win again or not,” Smith said.

Out back, the grill was fired up and the food was flowing - a fitting touch for a watch party in Kansas City.

Kansas City is one of several U.S. host cities for this year’s World Cup, with matches scheduled at Arrowhead Stadium throughout the tournament. From packed public watch parties to backyard barbecues, fans here say the city is more than ready for the spotlight.