The line to enter Soldier Field for the U.S.-Germany friendly on Saturday, June 6 stretched across the plaza under a sweltering June sun.
Families in U.S. jerseys shuffled toward the gates as children kicked soccer balls through the grass and fans crowded around sponsor booths outside the stadium ahead of the match. Voices in English, Spanish and German drifted through the crowd as supporters posed for photos and searched for shade.
“It’s such a multicultural environment in Chicago,” said Emily Topham, who traveled from Ann Arbor, Michigan. “It’s such a hub for everybody to get to.”
Outside the stadium, the atmosphere felt less like a single match and more like a celebration of the sport. Fans wearing jerseys from around the world mingled outside the gates, swapping stories about the teams they hoped to follow in this summer’s World Cup.
“Chicago’s a very passionate city, and the people of Chicago live on sports,” said Jason Penikin, a fan from St. Louis.
The scene reflected a soccer culture that has long been shaped by Chicago’s immigrant communities. Generations of residents with roots in Mexico, Poland, Ireland, Germany, Croatia and dozens of other countries have built neighborhood leagues, supporters groups and traditions that continue to draw fans from across the region.
When the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off Thursday, June 11, across the United States, Mexico and Canada, its impact will extend well beyond the host cities.
Although Chicago will not host World Cup matches, the tournament is expected to resonate throughout the city through watch parties, community events and a soccer culture rooted in Chicago’s diverse communities. City leaders opted against pursuing a host-city bid, citing concerns about the costs associated with hosting the event.
“The World Cup has a unique ability to inspire,” said Nick Mulvaney, founder and CEO of Chicago City Soccer Club. “It creates moments that capture imaginations and motivates kids to spend more time with the ball, watch more games and dream bigger.”
The World Cup arrives at a time when soccer’s profile in Chicago is rising. Earlier this year, the Chicago Fire Football Club announced plans for a new soccer-specific stadium in the South Loop, not far from Columbia. The privately funded $750 million stadium, which is expected to seat approximately 22,000 fans when it opens in 2028, represents one of the largest investments in soccer infrastructure in Chicago history and reflects growing confidence in the sport’s future in the city.
“This is a great investment because it’s going to pay off,” said Héctor Lozano, a sports anchor at Telemundo Chicago. “The sport keeps growing, not only in Chicago, but all over the country.”
Steve Greenberg, a longtime sports columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, said the new stadium will provide a clearer picture of professional soccer’s place in the city.
“It’ll be the first time there’s a chance to really, truly gauge Chicago’s appetite for professional soccer,” Greenberg said.
Other U.S. cities, including Seattle, Portland and St. Louis have built strong soccer identities around successful clubs and modern stadiums.
Greenberg said many people underestimate Chicago’s soccer culture because the city is often associated with major sporting events including the Bears or Cubs.
In Chicago, soccer fans with roots in Poland, Ireland, Germany, Croatia, Bosnia, Central America and South America have long supported the sport through local clubs, amateur leagues and international competitions. The city’s passion for the game is reflected in attendance figures as well. In July 2024, 61,568 fans packed Soldier Field to watch Real Madrid face AC Milan in a pre-season friendly, one of several international matches that have drawn big crowds to Chicago in recent years.
Adrian Garcia, an organizer with Liga Taximaroa, a prominent Hispanic futsal league in Chicago, said soccer remains deeply important within Latino communities because of its ability to bring communities together.
“Soccer is very important,” Garcia said in Spanish. “It continues growing because people know the game and follow it. It’s a sport that connects people.”
Germany defeated the United States 2-1 in the friendly on Saturday, one of the final tuneups before the World Cup. Mexico opens play against South Africa in Mexico City on June 11. The United States is scheduled to begin group-stage play the following day against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium outside Los Angeles.
The sense of community Garcia described is also evident at many of the city’s bars and pubs, where people already gather to watch soccer.
“Because of how multicultural a sports city we are, we will see a lot of interest in the matches,” said Kieran Aherne, a manager from Fadó Irish Pub, a longtime soccer destination in downtown Chicago.
Fadó expected strong turnout at the pub on West Grand Avenue throughout the tournament, especially as teams reach the knockout rounds. Fans supporting the United States, Mexico, England, Brazil, Argentina and Spain regularly pack the pub for major international matches.
“The atmosphere for big games is loud and fun,” Aherne said. “Soccer fans are always watching the game, so they’re into everything that’s going on and don’t miss anything.
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