We’re officially inside the 80-day countdown to the global soccer tournament (June 11–July 19, 2026). Kansas City will feel more international than ever — especially with four base camp teams located in the metro: Argentina, Netherlands, England, and Algeria. That means we may hear more Spanish (Argentina), Dutch (Netherlands), English (England), and Arabic/French commonly spoken by Algerian fans — alongside FIFA’s four official languages: English, Spanish, French, and German.

Good news: you don’t need to be multilingual to be ready. You just need a few universal tools that make visitors feel confident and cared for.

This week’s goal

Make communication easy, even when words aren’t.

A) The “Universal Welcome” toolkit (low effort, high return)

1. Signage with icons
   Restroom • Order Here • Pick Up • Entrance • Exit • Hours • Please Wait
   (Icons work in every language.)
2. QR code to your menu/services
   A QR code helps visitors translate instantly and reduces confusion at the counter.
3. Google profile updated
   Hours, phone, address, and photos — so visitors can find you fast without asking.
4. A staff “translation plan”
   Decide now: “If we hit a language barrier, we’ll use a phone translation app and keep it friendly.”

B) The 10-second “Welcome Script” (use it every time)

Train your team on a consistent, kind opener:
“Hi! Welcome in. Ordering is right here. Pick-up is over there. Restrooms are to the left.”

It’s short, clear, and works even when someone’s English is limited.

C) A tiny phrase list (optional, but powerful)

If you want to go one step further, pick 5 phrases and post them at the register as a staff cheat sheet:

• “Hello / Welcome”
• “Please / Thank you”
• “Order here”
• “Restroom”
• “One moment”

Even making the effort creates goodwill.

Pro Tip: Keep it calm and confident

When communication gets tricky:

• Smile, slow down, and use gestures
• Keep sentences short
• Point to signs/menus
• Use a translation app without making it a big deal
  Kindness is the language people remember.

This week’s one action (do it today)

Add one icon sign + one QR code (menu/services) at your front counter or entry.
That one upgrade removes friction for everyone — locals and visitors alike.