With Kansas City's time as a World Cup host now over, what did this massive event mean to the city besides traffic jams and crowded streetcars? These were our favorite memories from reporting across the region, meeting visitors and fans, and watching The Beautiful Game play out in our home.

The World Cup's arrival in the Midwest has driven an interest in soccer that cuts across generations. In Lawrence, Kansas, the local parks and recreation department is channeling that enthusiasm into weekly games of walking soccer, a slowed-down version of the sport that's more accessible to older adults.

We're at the final stretch of the World Cup. It feels like just yesterday, international fans were arriving in the U.S. and marveling at Buc-ee's and unlimited free soda.

The final day of the FIFA Fan Festival drew soccer fans from all over as reigning champion Argentina took on Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday. Argentina emerged victorious with a 3-1 score over the Swiss.

The top executives of the Kansas City Chiefs and Sporting KC said local residents and the thousands of domestic and international visitors will remember Kansas City's role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Algeria's stay in Lawrence put the University of Kansas on the map for an international audience. KU is working to leverage that awareness to increase enrollment.

Switzerland faces Argentina, the Messi-led juggernaut and returning World Cup champions, this Saturday night at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City's FIFA Fan Festival hopes to close with a bang, offering big-name headliners like Sheryl Crow, Tech N9ne and The All-American Rejects.

Kansas City leaders are already talking about holding onto the giant red Heart Gateway even after the Fan Festival closes. But what about the transportation system that connected people to the stadiums and the airport? It's time to start thinking big about the region's future.

Egypt was leading late, up 2-0. The Argentinians looked beaten. But they fought and fought and fought. Scoring one goal, then another to equalize. And, finally, a third to advance to the quarterfinal — to be played this Saturday in Kansas City.

All the attention around the Bosnia and Herzegovina soccer team in recent months has increased visibility of the community and brought St. Louis Bosnians closer together.

The Belgian soccer federation is challenging FIFA's ruling to let Balogun play despite getting a red card in his previous game. Belgium's statement came just 11 hours before kickoff in Seattle. European soccer body UEFA criticizes FIFA's "incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision."

Even before Kansas City was made an official host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Lawrence city officials, the University of Kansas and other groups prepared to be a welcoming base camp.