Sheriff’s Office preparing for increased activity ahead of World Cup

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than two weeks away, the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office is gearing up for the influx of visitors and increased activity tied to the global sporting event.

The BCSO will also assist the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department during the World Cup. 

Starting June 10, the sheriff’s office will send four to five officers during each designated work rotation to support the effort.

Mike Hess, BCSO Captain said to prepare for the world cup the sheriff's office is primarily focusing on staffing.

"Were going make sure we're 100 percent staffed during June 10 to July 12, and we've also including training with that," he said. "Such as diplomatic training, what diplomatic immunity means, who has that, who doesn't. How to recognize counselor cards."

The sheriff's office have implemented a new feature on their Axon body cameras to help with the international visitors.

"The body camera will actually recognize a foreign language and help translate it in real time to whoever were speaking with, and then vice versa. Whatever we say it will translate back to whoever were speaking with," he said.

Hess wants to remind local residents to stay safe.

"We do anticipate more travelers on the highway. We suspect hotels are sold out for quite a radius around Kansas City so those folks do have to get to the matches and the Kansas City area for festivities," he said. "Be careful, be safe and be patient."

The first FIFA match will take place June 16.