The City of Lawrence, Douglas County, eXplore Lawrence and the University of Kansas, along with organizations throughout Douglas County, have established a Unified Command to coordinate preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

The Unified Command aims to centralize efforts and streamline the community’s readiness for the major event, a news release Wednesday from the county said.

“The World Cup is a hugely impactful global event that draws millions of viewers and thousands of visitors,” said Brandon McGuire, assistant city manager of Lawrence. “With Kansas City hosting several games and Lawrence in the mix to be a team base camp — hosting one of the participating teams and its fans — the local impacts will be tremendous. Our team is wide-reaching and connected throughout the County to ensure we are prepared to host this effort.”

The Unified Command is addressing the logistics for the anticipated influx of thousands of visitors to Douglas County in the summer of 2026. Key considerations include transportation, accommodation, entertainment and the needs of the local community regarding public safety, infrastructure and more, the release said.

The Unified Command is led by McGuire; Jill Jolicoeur, for Douglas County; Ruth DeWitt, for eXplore Lawrence; and Julie Murray, for KU.

Douglas County Emergency Management is facilitating and coordinating efforts under the National Incident Management System to ensure comprehensive interoperability and coordination before, during and after the 2026 World Cup. This approach mirrors the community mobilization seen during the 2022 NCAA Championship parade and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Unified Command will serve as the anchor of our community’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup. Through enhanced collaboration, information sharing, and resource management, we are dedicated to ensuring a seamless and memorable experience for both our residents and the influx of visitors,” Emergency Management Director Robert Bieniecki said.