Kansas City museums are launching six soccer-themed and World Cup-inspired exhibitions ahead of the world's largest soccer tournament arriving in the city this summer. Highlights include “The Beautiful Game” at the National World War I Museum and Memorial, which explores soccer's role during World War I; “The World in Kansas City” at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, featuring works by over 16 local international artists; “United We Play: Kicking It With The Trumans” at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum, celebrating sports unity through artifacts from Kansas City teams; and “Homeland: The Osage in Missouri” at The Museum of Kansas City, tracing Osage Nation history.
These exhibitions matter because they position Kansas City's cultural institutions as key players in the global conversation around the FIFA World Cup, using art and history to connect international visitors with local heritage, immigrant stories, and Indigenous narratives. By weaving together sports, identity, and community, the shows demonstrate how museums can leverage major events to foster cross-cultural understanding and attract diverse audiences, while also highlighting Kansas City's role as a welcoming host city.