Sporting KC’s role in World Cup bid and what it’s like covering world’s biggest event

Four years from now, the World Cup will be winding down in North America and Kansas City will have been a part of it. On today’s episode of the SportsBeat KC podcast, we continue to examine our selection as one of the host cities.

Star columnist Sam McDowell breaks down the role of Sporting Kansas City and principal owner Cliff Illig in the local World Cup bid process. The city’s soccer culture, which undoubtedly played a major role in the choice of Kansas City as a host site, is due in large part to the presence and success of Illig’s Major League Soccer franchise.

After a break, we speak to a Star reporter who has covered a World Cup to get an idea of what to expect. Pete Grathoff spent a month in Germany in 2006 and took in not only the games, but the sites and sounds, too. He shares memories of that experience on today’s show.

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Can’t miss this opportunity: How Kansas City is thinking big as World Cup host

This is how it will look and feel when the World Cup comes to Kansas City