Where the Oranje had dominated in the days leading up to it, many jerseys of the Austrian national team were on display as the third World Cup weekend kicked off. For the 2026 World Cup, the Kansas City Live entertainment complex transformed into an atmospheric—if not exactly inexpensive—party zone for soccer fans from around the world. Thousands of visitors find a place to watch the public screenings in the covered open-air plaza, which is surrounded by numerous bars and restaurants on two levels.
After Friday’s match between the Netherlands and Tunisia—also held in Kansas City—fans from Austria and Algeria took over the city, including at KC Live, an impressively large event area in downtown. When the first World Cup matches of the day kicked off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, hundreds of soccer fanatics had already gathered in numerous bars and restaurants, as well as in the covered open-air plaza in front of the video wall. Across two levels, more and more fans watched the France vs. Norway match, even from the spacious galleries.
Austria also joined the crowd, which was growing by the minute, and asked Austrian fans about their expectations for the somewhat complicated match against Algeria, which will take place on Sunday at 9 p.m. local time in front of 68,000 spectators at the Kansas City Chiefs’ gigantic Arrowhead Stadium. “I’m actually expecting a clear victory for our team because they have what it takes,” said Rene from Steyr in Upper Austria. As for the speculation and deliberations about whether we’ll finish second—and face a tough opponent like Spain in the round of 16—or third, he had a clear opinion: “We have an absolutely top-notch coach in Ralf Rangnick; that won’t play a role in the players’ minds. We don’t have to be afraid of Spain either.”
“If we want to become world champions…”
Mani from Salzburg and Patrick from Scheifling in Styria went one step further: “If we want to become world champions, we have to knock Spain out too,” they both said with a laugh, but also with a certain air of conviction. In general, the unanimous opinion among the already numerous fan groups from Austria was that the ÖFB squad will clearly be playing to win and won’t be making any tactical considerations. Some also pointed out that the World Cup supporters who had traveled so far deserved it for their efforts and expenses. Many of them had already been there for the match against Jordan in Santa Clara and the game against Argentina in Dallas—or at the very least, for the blockbuster match against Lionel Messi and company in Texas.
Speaking of costs: Even at the Kansas City Live venue, World Cup tourists can’t afford to think twice if they want to treat themselves to food and cold drinks while watching the World Cup. Beers are going for a “bargain” $18—the equivalent of 16 euros. “That doesn’t matter anymore,” was the most common comment on the World Cup rip-off overseas. Getting to the football stadium, located outside the city, will once again be extremely complicated—and, of course, expensive—on Sunday. Once again, parking spots are being offered for up to $300, and taxi and Uber fares are skyrocketing. With an Austrian victory over Algeria, all of that would be forgotten.