As a parent, Kristel Hollingsworth has had plenty of chances to watch her children play soccer as they’ve grown.
Conversely, this summer provided Warrenton Officer Kristel Hollingsworth with a rare soccer experience.
Officer Hollingsworth spent the last part of June working both the FIFA Fan Festival and even a World Cup game – the Netherlands vs. Tunisia on June 28 – inside Kansas City Stadium.
“I volunteered for this assignment,” Hollingsworth said. “I had friends from Manchester (Mo.) PD going, so I asked my lieutenant about it and reached out to KCPD. I knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. My role was to help ensure everyone had a safe, fun and memorable time attending the game and Fan Fest. At most spots, we were paired with a KCPD officer.”
Hollingsworth was one of several hundred out-of-town officers who were in Kansas City for the month-long event.
According to the Kansas City Police Department, ‘hundreds’ of officers representing 85 different agencies from across Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa and Ohio helped police the tournament and related events.
Jacob Becchina, media officer for the Kansas City Police Department, said that the work put in by Hollingsworth and her fellow visiting officers played a key role in providing more than safety and security at just the World Cup.
“We are incredibly thankful for Officer Hollingsworth’s participation, along with all the other officers and partners who have assisted in these events,” Becchina said. “The officers that have come here have helped support safety and security efforts at the expected total of 20 days of FanFest activities and the six games at Kansas City Stadium. This support has allowed us to continue to provide police service across the rest of Kansas City. During the FIFA time frame thus far (through the event's first 30 days), officers have continued to serve Kansas City, responding to over 37,000 911 emergency calls and almost 30,000 non-emergency calls since June 11.”
Hollingsworth said that working the game on June 25 and getting a firsthand glimpse of one of the biggest events in the world is something she will carry with her for a long time.
She said that working in Warrenton did prepare her for her time in Kansas City, as events are similar in scope, just not anywhere near so in size.
“I loved being able to interact with the different people attending the events, (it’s) no different than when Warrenton has the Fall Festival, it was just on a lot larger level,” Hollingsworth said. “The Fans were on a whole other level. There was so much energy in the air, and everyone was so friendly. From the locals to the people from around the world, getting to work the game was probably my favorite part. The fans had the biggest wave going around the stadium. It went around five or six times. People from both teams were taking group pics together after the game, which is amazing to see. The Netherlands fans and the dance they did at the end, where they go to the left and right, I waited all game for it.”
Warrenton Police Lieutenant Jason Hanner said that, while it was Hollingsworth who had the honor of serving at the World Cup, it was the honor of her fellow Warrenton officers to have such an esteemed officer represent the department with distinction.
“Our department was proud to have one of our officers selected to assist with security operations in Kansas City during the FIFA World Cup,” Hanner said. “It's a tremendous opportunity to represent our agency while contributing to the safety and success of one of the largest sporting events in the world. We're honored to support this international effort and the collaboration it represents among law enforcement agencies.”
Hollingsworth said she did get the chance to experience more than just soccer and security while in Kansas City.
From food to camaraderie, the 2026 World Cup is something the officer will always hold dear.
She added that she’s thankful to those near and far for making this opportunity a reality.
“I loved my time in KC; the food was amazing,” Hollingsworth said. I tried 3 different BBQ places. Getting to work with other officers from different departments and from different states is always an interesting experience. KCPD was very welcoming and made sure we were well cared for while working. I will always remember getting to work the FIFA World Cup. I loved being able to represent the City of Warrenton. I would like to thank my department and the city board for allowing me to go.”
With Kansas City rumored to be a host for the 2031 women’s World Cup, Hollingsworth isn’t ruling out a return.
For now, though, she’s happy to be back protecting and serving the people of Warrenton.
“I would do it again in a second. And at the same time, I'm happy to be home, back at my department. I was able to exchange some police patches with other departments, get some souvenirs and pictures to remember the experience and share with my family.”
