The cast of Ted Lasso made a special trip to Kansas City during the FIFA World Cup. They held a press conference at CPKC Stadium on July 11, 2026. The event doubled as a watch party for the Argentina versus Switzerland match happening nearby at Arrowhead Stadium. The cast spoke openly about how the show changed their personal connection to soccer. They also shared their excitement for the upcoming fourth season.
The Apple TV+ series returns on August 5, 2026. The cast used the World Cup spotlight to reflect on their journey with the sport and with Kansas City itself.
Jason Sudeikis Says He Loves Soccer Even More Now
Jason Sudeikis, who plays the title character, grew up in the Kansas City area. He admitted he liked soccer before the show but his feelings have grown stronger over time.
“As much as we’ve loved football before we got started, I’ve grown to love it more as we got more immersed in the soccer culture.”
Sudeikis played soccer as a child but later chose basketball. Working on Ted Lasso brought him back to the sport in a meaningful way. He now sees the game through a different lens. The show gave him a deeper appreciation for the skill and passion involved in soccer.
Sudeikis also talked about his connection to Kansas City during the press conference. He called it “just a groovy place”. He pointed out that the city’s spirit of openness and enthusiasm helped shape his character. He believes the congeniality of the Midwest influenced how Ted Lasso interacts with people.
Brendan Hunt Notes Big Shift in US Soccer Interest
Brendan Hunt, who plays Coach Beard and co-created the show, offered the most thoughtful comments about soccer’s growth in America.
“I’ve certainly heard from some people that didn’t care about soccer at all until they started to watch ‘Ted Lasso’. As opposed to 1994 when we had the World Cup and people knew even less about soccer, including me, people were ready for it.”
Hunt compared the current World Cup to the one hosted by the U.S. in 1994. He believes American fans are much more prepared this time around. He pushed back against the idea that soccer is unpopular in the United States.
“We’re not as far behind in terms of the sport’s popularity as is made out to be, and I think this World Cup has shown that. The stuff about soccer being not popular here is a little bit overstated.”
Hunt joked that the show’s creators “tricked” some viewers into liking soccer. He acknowledged that the series helped bring new fans to the sport. But he also stressed that soccer’s growth in the U.S. started long before Ted Lasso existed.
Juno Temple Excited About Women’s Football Focus
Juno Temple, who plays Keeley Jones, wore a teal Kansas City Current jersey to the event. She expressed strong support for the show’s new direction. Season 4 will focus on the newly formed AFC Richmond women’s team.
“It feels like a perfect moment to be talking about women’s football, and representing it — not that I play, obviously. So that’s first and foremost. I hope that’s something people really treasure. And I also hope people enjoy the journey each of the characters are going on.”
Temple’s character pitched the idea of a women’s team at the end of Season 3. The show is now bringing that concept to life. Temple hopes viewers will value the emphasis on women’s football. She wants audiences to appreciate the growth each character experiences in the new season.
The event took place at CPKC Stadium, which is the first stadium built specifically for a women’s professional club. This made it the perfect location for the press conference.
Cast Members Share Their Kansas City Experience
The cast filmed several Season 4 scenes in Kansas City. This included locations like CPKC Stadium, Gates Bar-B-Q, Arthur Bryant’s, the Country Club Plaza, and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Sudeikis said these scenes were “special in a bunch of different ways”. He joked about the post-production work needed to remove the sound of cicadas from the footage.
New cast member Abbie Hern joked that Sudeikis is “obsessed with Kansas City”. Temple also shared her fondness for the city, saying “me and Kansas City go way back, guys”.
Sudeikis reflected on how his upbringing shaped the show. He mentioned the “spirit of openness and enthusiasm” he experienced growing up. He also talked about the “congeniality” of the Midwest. He noted that this friendliness can sometimes be mistaken for naivety, but he has found that assumption to be wrong.
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Season 4 Premieres August 5 on Apple TV+
Ted Lasso Season 4 arrives on Apple TV+ on August 5, 2026. The 10-episode season will release new episodes every Wednesday through October 7. The show had been on hiatus since May 31, 2023.
The new season brings back familiar faces. Jason Sudeikis returns as Ted Lasso. Hannah Waddingham and Brett Goldstein are also coming back. New cast members include Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsay, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, and Grant Feely. Jack Burditt joins as an executive producer.
The show’s creators originally planned for only three seasons. But they announced a fourth season in March 2025. The new season will see Ted return to Richmond to coach a second-division women’s team.
The series has won 13 Emmy Awards, including two for Outstanding Comedy Series. It became the most Emmy-nominated comedy series in its first season.
Ted Lasso started as a quirky sports comedy but grew into something more meaningful. It tells the story of an American football coach hired to lead an English soccer team. The show has resonated with audiences around the world.
The cast’s visit to Kansas City during the World Cup showed how much the show and the sport have grown together. The actors now have a deeper connection to soccer than they did before. They also have a stronger bond with Kansas City, the hometown of their beloved character.
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