KC Businesses Prepare for Argentine World Cup Fans

Restaurants rethink hours and menus to cater to influx of visitors from Argentina

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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As Kansas City prepares to host World Cup matches, local Argentine business owners are getting ready for an influx of visitors from their home country. Restaurateurs like Isolina De La Bega of Los Hornos and Claudia Luna of Buenos Aires Restaurant & Bakery are rethinking their hours, menus, and capacity to cater to the anticipated surge of Argentine fans seeking a taste of home during the tournament.

Why it matters

The World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Argentine businesses in Kansas City to share their culture and cuisine on a global stage. These local restaurants are at the forefront of catering to the expected demand, which could lead to expanded distribution of Argentine food products beyond their own establishments.

The details

De La Bega plans to open her restaurant Los Hornos earlier and stay open later to accommodate the Argentine dining schedule, which typically features later dinner times. Meanwhile, Luna's Buenos Aires Restaurant & Bakery has already been receiving calls from Argentinians looking for a taste of home, and she is preparing to potentially sell her empanadas through larger companies.

  • The 2026 World Cup matches are scheduled to take place in the coming months.

The players

Isolina De La Bega

The owner of Los Hornos restaurant in Kansas City.

Claudia Luna

The owner of Buenos Aires Restaurant & Bakery in Shawnee, Kansas.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know if we really understand what this means. I don't know if Kansas City knows what is going to be.”

— Isolina De La Bega, Owner, Los Hornos (KCTV5)

“They will have a place where they can feel at home. Where they can eat their food, and just relax. That they don't feel they are far away from their home.”

— Claudia Luna, Owner, Buenos Aires Restaurant & Bakery (KCTV5)

What’s next

The 2026 World Cup matches in Kansas City are scheduled to take place in the coming months, so local Argentine business owners will continue preparing their operations to welcome the anticipated influx of visitors from Argentina.

The takeaway

The 2026 World Cup presents a unique opportunity for Argentine businesses in Kansas City to showcase their culture and cuisine to a global audience. These local restaurants are leading the charge in adapting their operations to cater to the expected demand, which could lead to expanded distribution of Argentine food products beyond their own establishments.