Columbia prepares for World Cup crowds with strategic emergency plans
Nate Splater
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
More than half a million fans are expected to travel to Kansas City this summer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Local and state emergency management agencies are coordinating to establish public safety plans to accommodate the high volume of international travelers.
Jacob Waller of Boone Emergency Management is working with the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau to coordinate the arrival of fans. Waller said his office is responsible for the strategic alignment of various first responder groups, including fire departments, law enforcement and ambulance services.
“The way I like to describe it is it’s like a high-level playbook,” Waller said. “They all know what to do tactically. We’re responsible for the higher-level strategic view. And just kind of making sure that everyone’s cooperating and coordinating together.”
Megan McConachie, spokeswoman for the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the city is applying its standard safety protocols to the upcoming festivities. This process involves evaluating events held on city property or in local parks to ensure partners are prioritizing public safety.
“We will go into our normal special event process, whether it’s in a park or on other city property, and really make sure that that partner, you know, is taking safety into consideration,” McConachie said.
The State Emergency Management Agency is also providing oversight in both Kansas City and Jefferson City to manage the logistical demands of the tournament. The agency recently completed an exercise that involved more than 25 partner agencies and 100 participants.
“SEMA hosted a successful World Cup Activation Functional Exercise,” the agency said in a statement. “We look forward to continued coordination as we approach upcoming festivities involving the World Cup.”
The Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau plans to host community events throughout the World Cup. Updated information regarding logistics and community initiatives will be posted to the “Kick it in CoMo” website as the tournament approaches.