Exporting KC to the world: Esports leader revs come-from-behind global takeover amid World Cup’s big draw

As the metro bundled up and showed out Friday, getting its latest taste of what the 2026 World Cup has in store, the Kansas City Pioneers dropped new heat — raising the thermostat on their commitment to seize the moment brought forth by the global gathering as a net for esports. 

A fan stands tall amid a crowd gathered in the Live! Block at Power and Light for Kansas City’s FIFA World Cup Final Draw rally; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

“Now is the time for Kansas City to rally,” declared Sam Kulikov, Pioneers co-founder and chief marketing officer, as the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw played out Friday morning.

With teams from Germany, Ecuador, Curaçao, the Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Argentina, Austria, Algeria, and Jordan now known to be in the running to play matches held in KC next summer — the Pioneers have already entered the global chat on the city’s behalf, Kulikov explained, touting the team’s world-spanning roster of esports all-stars anticipated to score big for KC later this month.

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(A more detailed FIFA World Cup match schedule for Kansas City was expected to be revealed Saturday.)

Fans rally as performers hype up a crowd gathered at Power and Light for the FIFA World Cup Final Draw; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

Fans react to country announcements during the FIFA World Cup Final Draw at the Power and Light District; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

David Morgenrood of South Africa — known by esports fans as 2Die4 and who currently plays for the Pioneers in the Rocket League Championship Series — will be behind the joystick on the global stage in Saudi Arabia during the Rocket League World Cup Dec. 15-19, part of the FIFAe Finals; photo courtesy of the KC Pioneers

Twenty-year-old David Morgenrood of South Africa, known by fans as 2Die4 — who currently plays for the Pioneers in the Rocket League Championship Series — will be behind the joystick for his home country on the global stage in Saudi Arabia during the Rocket League World Cup December 15-19 — part of the FIFAe Finals.

“With FIFA officially entering the Rocket League space via the ‘FIFAe World Cup,’ the lines between traditional soccer and digital soccer have dissolved,” Kulikov said. 

“Our organization is proving that Kansas City isn’t just a destination for sports — it’s a global hub for competition, physical or digital.”

And the Pioneers hope to stake claim as the digital welcoming committee for Kansas City, he added. 

The team on Friday dropped its latest Rocket League decal — a collectible in-game car design that players can purchase and apply to display a team’s branding — which boasts bright, prismatic colors and is inspired by the graffiti culture of the Crossroads Arts District and aims to immerse an international audience in the richness of Kansas City culture ahead of the global showdown.

KC Pioneers dropped visual teasers showing a newly released Rocket League decal that reflects an homage to the Kansas City Crossroads’ graffiti culture; image courtesy of the KC Pioneers

“The Crossroads represents the grit and creativity of Kansas City,” he said. “It’s where old brick warehouses meet neon spray paint. We wanted our car to look like it drove through 18th & Grand at 100 MPH and caught that energy. It’s not just a paint job — it’s a reflection of our origins.”

The new Crossroads’ graffiti-inspired decal just dropped by the KC Pioneers for Rocket League competitions; image courtesy of KC Pioneers

When a player in France or Brazil equips the decal within the game, they’re interacting directly with the history of Kansas City, Kulikov noted, creating an opportunity to form attachment to the city — and generate excitement to visit it. 

“By putting this Crossroads-inspired decal into the hands of [about] 100 million players, we are introducing the world to Kansas City’s visual identity well before [soccer] fans arrive at Arrowhead Stadium,” he said, adding that if Kansas City can be considered the soccer capital of America, the Pioneers are proving it can hail acclaim as its esports capital too. 

“The synergy is undeniable. As KC prepares to host the world in 2026, the Pioneers are already there digitally, warming up the crowd.”

 

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