Kansas City Hosts Argentina in World Cup Quarterfinal as Ted Lasso Cast Celebrates Women's Soccer

Argentina returns to Kansas City for a World Cup quarterfinal against Switzerland on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium, marking the defending champions' second appearance in the host city. The match will be broadcast at the Fan Festival on the National WWI Museum and Memorial lawn, which closes after this weekend. The fixture carries additional significance as Kansas City wraps up its role as one of the tournament's primary venues.

Argentina's Return and the Final Match

The reigning World Cup champions opened their Kansas City stint on June 16 with a Group Stage match at Arrowhead Stadium and established the city as their base camp during the tournament, staying at a Berkley Riverfront hotel. Following a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt on Tuesday, Argentina advanced to face Switzerland, who secured their spot through a penalty shootout win over Colombia. The 8 p.m. Saturday kickoff will determine which team progresses to face the winner of England versus Norway, scheduled to play in Miami earlier that day.

Fan Festival's Final Weekend

Kansas City's soccer celebration concludes this weekend after weeks of activities on the National WWI Museum and Memorial grounds. The city is bringing in major musical acts for the final two days, with Missouri native Sheryl Crow performing Friday night and Kansas City-based Tech N9ne taking the stage Saturday. However, the National Weather Service forecasts multiple opportunities for heavy rain and thunderstorms through Saturday, with Friday presenting the greatest weather risk at 50% storm probability. The festival experienced a similar closure ahead of a Tunisia versus Netherlands match in late June, though that game proceeded without delay.

Cultural Intersection: Ted Lasso and Women's Soccer

The Apple TV series "Ted Lasso" cast attended a watch party at CPKC Stadium, the home of the National Women's Soccer League's Kansas City Current. Jason Sudeikis, who grew up in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, Kansas, hosted the event alongside castmate Juno Temple. The fourth season of the comedy-drama will premiere on August 5 and will focus on a newly formed AFC Richmond women's team, marking a significant shift in the show's narrative. Multiple scenes from the new season were filmed around Kansas City, including at CPKC Stadium, the first stadium of its size built exclusively for a women's professional club.

Sudeikis noted that his passion for soccer deepened through the show's production, while Temple emphasized the importance of representing women's football during this pivotal moment for the sport. Cast members have reported that some viewers developed an interest in soccer specifically through watching the series over its previous three seasons.