Supporters hoping to see Lionel Messi in Kansas City are being cautioned about a road where simply stepping across could place them under a different set of state laws.
The 2026 World Cup got underway on June 11, and Messi is once again one of the biggest talking points.
The Argentina captain has been named in his country’s 2026 World Cup squad and is on course to appear in the competition for a record sixth time.
Argentina’s opening match is scheduled for June 16 in Kansas City, one of the tournament’s 16 host cities and a venue expected to draw huge crowds.
Anyone travelling to the area, however, is being urged to pay close attention to one specific street, because the legal situation changes depending on which side of the road a person is standing.
According to a legal expert, State Line Road forms part of the boundary between Kansas and Missouri, meaning someone could theoretically move from one state’s laws into another’s in a matter of steps.
“It might sound unusual to visitors, but it highlights an important reality of travelling in the United States,” Jonathan Abrams, a dual qualified UK Solicitor (Gregory Abrams Davidson Solicitors) and New York Attorney (ABRAMS LAW), warned.
“While federal law applies nationwide, many everyday rules are set at state and local level, meaning laws can vary significantly from one host city to the next.”
One of the clearest examples involves cannabis law.
On the Missouri side of Kansas City, recreational cannabis is legal for adults aged 21 and over, with limited possession allowed under state law.
Cross over into Kansas, though, and the rules are very different, as cannabis remains illegal and possession can still result in criminal charges.
“Fans visiting the area should therefore remember that they may encounter not only federal law, but also two differing bodies of state laws, depending on which side of the Kansas-Missouri border they happen to be standing at any given point in time.”
Penalties in Kansas are also far from minor.
A first-time cannabis possession offence there can typically bring a sentence of up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
Cannabis is not the only area where the two states differ, either.
Missouri tends to take a more relaxed approach to alcohol rules in some entertainment districts, while Kansas generally requires unopened or properly stored containers in vehicles and has stricter limits on open containers in public spaces and cars.