OVERLAND PARK, KS – City officials in Overland Park have issued a public advisory, urging residents to begin mental and emotional preparations for the impending arrival of a modest contingent of soccer enthusiasts during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While Kansas City, Missouri, is the official host city, Overland Park anticipates a spillover of individuals who might, at various points, express enthusiasm for the sport.

“We understand this is a significant cultural shift for many of our long-term residents,” stated Mayor Carl Jenkins in a press conference held in a surprisingly empty community center. “We’re asking everyone to brush up on basic hospitality skills, such as maintaining eye contact for at least three seconds and refraining from asking ‘what sport is that again?’ when confronted with a jersey.”

The city has launched a public awareness campaign, “OP Welcomes… Some People,” which includes online tutorials on how to correctly pronounce names like “Messi” and “Ronaldo” without sounding like you’re clearing your throat. Local businesses are encouraged to stock up on generic sports merchandise and consider offering slightly longer happy hour specials.

“Our biggest concern is the potential for spontaneous cheering,” admitted Police Chief Brenda O’Malley. “We’re training our officers to identify and de-escalate situations where individuals might be exhibiting overt displays of joy or, God forbid, singing. We just want everyone to feel comfortable in their polite indifference.”

Experts predict the most significant impact will be a temporary increase in traffic near establishments with televisions, followed by a swift return to normalcy once the games conclude and the visitors realize they’re still in Overland Park.