KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Two years before the World Cup descends upon Kansas City, the executive director of the planning organization for the tournament has quit the project, The Kansas City Star has learned.

She’s not the only one, either.

Katherine Holland, who served as both the director of Kansas City’s World Cup bid and then later the entity (KC2026) tasked with executing the blueprint, resigned from her job last week, multiple sources told The Star. Although she offered to stay with KC2026 during a transitional period to an eventual successor, her resignation was accepted as effective immediately, sources said.

At a time of perpetual urgency for the biggest event in Kansas City history, it is a jolting, if not stunning, shakeup.

Except to those on the inside.

Rather than a sudden surprise, they describe it as a predictable finale after a series of changes to the job.

Holland said she did not want to publicly comment on her departure, which the organization has not publicly announced. But The Star did speak to roughly half of the 17-member board of directors and executive committee.

Well, formerly 17. Brian Platt, the city manager for KC, also recently quit his position on the board of directors, he confirmed to The Star. He declined to elaborate, but those who spoke with us pointed to his resignation as evidence that more than one person could relate to the perceived reason for Holland’s departure:

A lack of desired influence.

Holland served as the point of contact for FIFA officials for years and is the only executive director the group has had since its 2023 inception. She assumed that position in May 2023, and she was also previously the director of the bid itself, which concluded with Kansas City being named one of 11 American host cities for the World Cup.

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