Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said he wants to pay for Kansas City area leaders, and other visitors, to visit his country.
Tebboune told reporters in French that he is “officially inviting the mayor and the governor from Kansas City to come here for a friendly visit, free to all. We are going to invite 100 tourists, sponsored by the state.”
Algerian fans rallied at Washington Park near Union Station the night before their team took on defending World Cup champ Argentina at Kansas City Stadium.
The Algerian national team stayed in Lawrence for more than three weeks during the World Cup group stage. The home of the University of Kansas received international attention for welcoming the Desert Foxes.
Tebboune said the Kansas City area “created a school of Algerian supporters.”
“We are moving beyond soccer,” the North African president said.
A crowd starts to gather around earthwork artist Stan Herd’s grassy creation of a billowing Algeria flag on June 13, 2026. The crowd would grow to over 800 into the evening during a block party event held onsite — food, music and celebration of a town accepting Algeria wholeheartedly brought Herd to tears.
Kansas City responds to invitation
Megan Strickland, spokesperson for the Kansas City mayor’s office, said Quinton Lucas had not received a formal invitation as of Wednesday afternoon.
“Kansas City values the international friendships built during the World Cup and always looks forward to strengthening relationships with cities and nations around the world,” she wrote.
The Lawrence government did not immediately respond to questions from The Star.
In July, Tebboune proposed a “twinning agreement” between Kansas City and Tipaz, Algeria. As of mid-July, neither Kansas City nor Lawrence had discussed sister city partnerships with Algeria.
Algeria fans show their excitement before the World Cup game between Algeria and Austria at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
The Star’s Derek Donovan and PJ Green contributed to this report.