Two games into the FIFA World Cup schedule in Kansas City, and we’ve seen some spectacular performances, starting with Lionel Messi’s hat trick for Argentina in the opening game. The action has been top-rate.

But how about Kansas City’s overall performance as a host city? On SportsBeat KC, sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), columnist Vahe Gregorian and sportswriter Pete Grathoff discuss what’s gone right and wrong over the first couple of weeks.

Two more group stage games this week, starting with Netherlands vs. Tunisia on Thursday — with the Orange March fanwalk set for downtown that day — and two knockout games in July remain on Kansas City’s schedule. Is the best yet to come?

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

The Chiefs have closed the book on OTAs and minicamp, but they’re continuing to make news.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes signed a contract extension, former KC cornerback L’Jarius Sneed was re-acquired and the team traded away offensive lineman Wanya Morris — all before the Chiefs were finished with their summer workouts.

KC Star Chiefs insider Pete Sweeney discusses all these developments and more on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM).

Sweeney also shares which position groups could face the most competitive battles when training camp begins in St. Joseph next month, and what’s in store for the Chiefs over the next few weeks.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

North America was awarded the 2026 FIFA World Cup eight years ago. Four years later, Kansas City was named one of the event’s 16 host cities.

Now, it’s here. The world’s biggest sporting event begins Thursday with the first game in Kansas City on June 16. Are we ready?

In this week’s episode of SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), sports columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell share their thoughts.

Ticket sales, hotel prices, safety and security have been the big topics leading up to the event. How is Kansas City responding? Also, how will Team USA fare in the global tournament?

And if Argentina, looking to win its second straight World Cup and fourth overall, is the Chiefs among base-camp teams training in the region, what KC sports entities do England, Netherlands and Algeria resemble?

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.