Gov. Kehoe touts Missouri’s role in successful FIFA World Cup hosting effort
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (FOX23) — Gov. Mike Kehoe is praising the role Missouri agencies played in helping Kansas City safely host FIFA World Cup 2026 matches while highlighting the tournament’s long-term economic development opportunities.
According to the governor’s office, the state invested more than $108 million in security and public safety efforts during the tournament. In April, Kehoe signed an executive order activating the Missouri State Emergency Operations Plan to coordinate emergency response efforts among state agencies.
Agencies involved included the Missouri Department of Public Safety, Missouri State Highway Patrol, State Emergency Management Agency, Missouri National Guard, Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri Department of Mental Health and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
State officials said the Missouri Disaster Medical Assistance Team treated 277 patients over 20 days while providing medical support at Fan Fest and Arrowhead Stadium. More than 140 personnel from over 15 federal, state and volunteer agencies also staffed the State Emergency Operations Center throughout the event, while more than 80 law enforcement agencies from Missouri and six other states assisted the Kansas City Police Department.
During the tournament, Missouri public safety agencies also responded to other major emergencies, including the fatal skydiving plane crash in Butler, severe storms, flash flooding and helicopter evacuations of stranded campers.
Kehoe also highlighted the tournament’s economic impact, saying meetings with business executives and government officials from around the world helped promote Missouri as a destination for investment and business expansion.
The governor met with ambassadors from Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Argentina and said discussions focused on attracting investment in advanced manufacturing, energy, agriculture technology, biosciences, distribution and logistics.
Kehoe said the administration hopes the relationships built during the World Cup will lead to long-term economic growth in both rural and urban communities across Missouri.
