Did Illinois Make The Cut To Host 2026 FIFA World Cup Game?

The FIFA World Cup returns to North America in 2026 and the big question is did Chicago make the cut to host a game?

Will Chicago Host A World Cup Soccer Game In 2026?

I consider myself a pretty big sports fan but I will be the first to admit that it doesn't really include soccer. It was still really new in the United States when I was a kid. I played in gym class at school but that was it.

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I have attended a couple of games. When I was in 4th grade, we took a field trip to Wrigley Field to watch the Chicago Sting play a game. A few years ago, my family took a trip to Finland and we checked out a pro match there.

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The big one was back in 1994. My dad took me to Soldier Field to check out the World Cup. It was the opportunity of a lifetime for a sports fan. Even though I didn't know much about the game, the energy from the fans was electric.

I know soccer is huge worldwide. I have friends who watch it all the time. They were really hoping for some World Cup games to be played at Soldier Field in 2026. Unfortunately, their dreams were crushed when Chicago didn't make the cut.

There was a lot of competition to be a host city since the games are being played in three different North American countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. You're not going to believe why Chicago won't have a game.

FIFA

The bids took place back in 2018. The mayor at the time (Rahm Emanuel), didn't even put in an offer to host a game. He didn't think it would be good for the city. I understand that it costs a lot of money but I believe it would've been great for Chicago.