KC World Cup News, SKC Rumors and KC Current Disappointments

For the Glory KC is back with the 156th episode of the show!

The headline for Kansas City soccer this week is the World Cup! The FIFA World Cup draw went down last Friday with games announced on Saturday. Kansas City get six games in the 2026 World Cup, and the first four matchups are now known:

• 1st: Argentina vs. Algeria on June 16th at 8PM 
• 2nd: Ecuador vs Curacao, June 20th at 7PM
• 3rd: Tunisia vs. Netherlands, June 25th at 6PM
• 4th: Algeria vs. Austria, June 27th at 9PM

KC also host a July 3rd round of 32 game and a July 11th quarterfinal, that could feature Messi vs. Ronaldo. If Argentina and Portugal win their groups and their first two knockout games then the biggest game in the world (before the final) will be in Kansas City. That’s all assuming Messi even plays. And that they are both healthy. It’s a long-shot, but it could happen!

The United States Men’s National team also found out their group, and it’s quite winnable. They start off against Paraguay and also play Australia and the winner of the UEFA playoff between Turkiye, Slovakia, Romania and Kosovo. The USMNT could even play in Kansas City if everything falls the right way, but part of that is them ending up third in their group, which would be a disappointment. 

Sporting Kansas City are still top of mind with a few big moments this week. First, Kerry Zavagnin officially parted ways with the club after 26 years. Sheena and I give our thoughts and then we share the rumor of two potential replacement coaching candidates. Raphael Wicky, who is a rumored finalist, is who we know the most about after this time with the Chicago Fire.

In other Sporting KC news, they have a rumored goalkeeper trade. It’ll be the team’s fourth keeper if Stefan Cleveland officially arrives from Austin FC. He’s never been a long-term starter, but at 31-years-old he can push John Pulskamp and share what he’s learned behind some of the best keepers in the league while playing for the Seattle Sounders and Austin FC.

In KC Current news, the team signed new two-year contracts with Mary Long and Katie Scott, officially said goodbye to goalkeeper Laurel Ivory and saw their former star defender, Hailie Mace, sign with the Orlando Pride.

They also had a less than stellar showing in the World Sevens Football competition over the weekend.

In the Digital Crawl, we hit on a few more topics, including:

• Trinity Rodman possible leaving the NWSL
• MLS Cup between Inter Miami and the Vancouver Whitecaps
• KS Astras win their MASLW opener
• Former Swope Park Rangers coach, Marc dos Santos, gets a big upgrade

Here is a rundown of topics and start times:

• World Cup and Kansas City – 
• Sporting KC Coaching Update – 
• SKC Round-Up including a rumored trade – 
• KC Current World Sevens and more – 
• She Scores – 
• Digital Crawl – 

Upcoming Game

• KS Astras vs. Iowa Raptors, Sat. Dec. 13th @ 4:00PM

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled dot com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they’ll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron.

You can find For the Glory KC wherever you get your podcasts. Search “For the Glory KC” and be sure to subscribe! Here are some helpful links:

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Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast. Five-star ratings and reviews will help others find the pod. On Spotify you can review on the mobile app by clicking the three dots. On Apple Podcasts, it’s much easier. If it’s not quite five-star worthy yet, feel free to let us know in the comments or on Twitter (@PlayFor90 or @ForTheGloryKC). Sheena essentially runs our FTGKC BlueSky, so that’s a great way to get her takes. 

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