In homes from Brazil to Seoul, fans cling to their seats as their nations chase glory bigger than the Super Bowl. For a few fever dream weeks, sleep and sanity are optional — but belief in the team on the pitch is everything.
eXplore Lawrence and several other community organizations hosted a community resource fair Thursday at the Carnegie Building, bringing together business owners, residents and soccer fans alike to learn how the city is gearing up to serve as Team Algeria’s base camp for the 2026 World Cup.
World Cup matches begin Thursday, June 11, and the final match is set for Sunday, July 19. Six matches are slated for Kansas City between Tuesday, June 16 and Saturday, July 11.
City staff members shared details on additional signage in Arabic and French to help visitors navigate downtown more easily. Lawrence Transit also confirmed there will be a shuttle transporting visitors from central station to Fan Fest in Kansas City during the games.
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Douglas County Emergency Services assured residents they will provide additional emergency support during the expected influx of visitors, as well as information in multiple languages on heat preparedness and weather conditions.
The Chamber of Lawrence will host a free business readiness event from 8:30 a.m. to noon Monday, April 13 at the Oread Hotel. Business owners, community leaders and residents can learn about cultural awareness for international visitors, get updates for the 2026 soccer games and tournaments, learn about short-term rentals and workforce development and learn more about safety, security and transportation. Register at this link.
The room also had local energy from Jambars FC, Lawrence’s very own Futbol Club.
Jambars coach Oumar Seck said he is from Senegal and has friends in Algeria, so they are all looking forward to the team being in town.
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“We’re just excited, and this is the World Cup so it doesn’t get better than that,” Seck said. “Having these professional players that you see on TV, admire so much, coming in here to plan and hang out while being in town. I think, you know, we’re ready for it.”
For Seck and his family, futbol is not just a sport. It is about bringing people together and the memories that can be built as families, as people, as communities.
As Lawrence prepares for Team Algeria to make its home base at Rock Chalk Park, the community is invited to do just that.
The Lawrence Public Library will kick off this summer of soccer with educational and cultural sessions.
Gauchos in the Heartland: A journey through Argentine soccer history
2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18 at the Lawrence Public Library , 707 Vermont St.
Robert Rodriguez, a KU alum and professor of political science at East Texas A&M University, will share the story of team Argentina’s World Cup history and the probability of Lionel Messi winning the competition again this summer. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite team’s jersey. This event is held in partnership with the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at KU. Find more information at this link.
Introduction to Arabic
1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 28 at the Lawrence Public Library
Aya Fayed, communications and outreach coordinator with the Kansas African Studies Center at KU, will give a brief history of the Arabic language. Participants will learn and practice some useful phrases to get started speaking. Registration is required; sign up at this link.
Introduction to Algerian Culture + Film Screening
2 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 7 at the Lawrence Public Library
Asamaa Benbaba will start the event off with an introduction to Algerian and North African culture. A screening of “Inch’Allah dimanche” will follow, featuring an Algerian woman who moves to France to join her husband and is adapting to a new life. Find more information at this link.
Introduction to French
1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 13 at the Lawrence Public Library
Megan Hurt, retired Lawrence High School French teacher, will teach some useful French phrases in preparation for the World Cup. Registration is required; find more information at this link.
Tim Bascom and “The Boundless Game”
7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 28 at the Lawrence Public Library
Tim Bascom, author of “The Boundless Game,” and Seck will be discussing all things soccer, moderated by Washburn University professor Eric Henry. Find more information at this link.
GOAL! Art Exhibition opens
6 p.m. Friday, May 29 at the Lawrence Arts Center Gallery, 940 New Hampshire St.; exhibition open through Aug. 1
The Lawrence Arts Center presents this free art exhibition celebrating the World Cup and infusing cultural diversity into the Midwest. Artists from around the country have designed their own “team jersey” as a welcome for international visitors. Find more information at this link.
Soccer Talk with Nate Bukaty
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 3 at the Lawrence Public Library
Soccer commentator Nate Bukaty will debut his book “Perfect Pitch: How Kansas City Became the Heart of American Soccer and Landed the World Cup,” telling the story of how Kansas City became a soccer powerhouse. Registration is required; sign up at this link.
Lawrence’s official World Cup kickoff party with The Granada
Friday, June 12 in the 1000 block of Massachusetts Street
Indigenous World Market
3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 17 at the Haskell Powwow Grounds
Explore Native American culture and craftsmanship through food, arts, crafts and clothing.
Algeria vs. Jordan watch party with the Granada
Monday, June 22; match starts at 10 p.m.
Free State Festival
Monday, June 22 through Sunday, June 28, hosted by the Lawrence Arts Center
Free State Fest will show two Algerian-centered films, including “Chronicle of the Years of Fire,” with food, and “The Battle of Algiers,” with music and a panel.
Powwow on the Pitch
6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, June 24 at Haskell Powwow Grounds
Vivo en Masse with The Granada
Saturday, June 27 in the 1000 block of Massachusetts Street
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Courtney Lane (she/her), staff reporter, has worked with The Lawrence Times since April 2026. She can be reached at clane@lawrencekstimes.com.
Read her complete bio here. Read her work for the Times at this link.
Jacob Rice (he/him), photo editor, has worked with The Lawrence Times since March 2026. He can be reached at jrice@lawrencekstimes.com.
Read his complete bio here. Check out his photography for the Times here.
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