Why Chicago isn't hosting any World Cup matches after final straw FIFA request

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Martin Macdonald | Writer

Content writer covering football, formula 1 and movies

One of the biggest cities in North America, Chicago, will not be hosting any World Cup matches this summer but there's a good reason for that, according to former mayor Rahm Emanuel.

For the 2026 World Cup, the United States is hosting matches across 11 major metropolitan areas, stretching from coast to coast. Fans can catch the action in major East Coast hubs like New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium), Boston (Gillette Stadium), and Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field), as well as southern destinations including Miami (Hard Rock Stadium), Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), Houston (NRG Stadium), and Dallas (AT&T Stadium).

The tournament also heads to the Midwest via Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium) and spans the West Coast with host venues in Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium), the San Francisco Bay Area (Levi's Stadium), and Seattle (Lumen Field).

The "Second City" won't play host, though, despite their eligible Soldier Field venue, the home of the Chicago Bears Chicago Fire FC. Indeed, It hosted six games in the World Cup in 1994, including the opening ceremony that featured Oprah Winfrey and Diana Ross.

It all stems from some over-the-top demands from FIFA as three months before the USA, Mexico and Canada were confirmed as co-hosts of the tournament, Chicago bowed out.

Upon reviewing the financial realities of FIFA’s host city contract, Emanuel chose to opt out of the bidding process. Under FIFA's business model, soccer's governing body retains nearly all lucrative revenue streams, including ticket sales, broadcasting rights, sponsorships, concessions, and parking.

Meanwhile, host cities are left to shoulder the massive financial burden of operational demands, covering the costs for expanded public transit, emergency services, fire protection, heavy police security, and even private escorts for FIFA-designated VIPs.

That's why FIFA has been at odds with New York/New Jersey and Boston, as those host cities have complained about an increase in expenditure to host matches with little help from the governing body. That led to a spike in prices for travel to and from stadiums as cities sought to recoup some cash.

“We were on the front end of the bad side and the back end of the good side,” Emanuel, a former White House chief of staff to President Barack Obama and advisor to President Bill Clinton, told The Athletic.

“I said, ‘I don’t know what any other mayor or governor is doing, but do you expect me to treat the Chicago taxpayers as the dumb money at the table? You’ve got to be kidding me!'

The final straw for Emanuel came when it emerged FIFA had written into the contract that they could request a dome be built over the open-air Soldier Field stadium.

“They said in the contract that they had the right to request a dome being built over Soldier Field," he continued.

"So I said: ‘You have got to take that out.’

“They go, ‘We never exercise it, but it’s something we ask everybody to include.’ I said, ‘I don’t care if you’ve never exercised it. There will always be a first. Take it out and we can work through the other issues.’ They said, ‘We can’t take it out.’

A breathtaking Antonee Robinson goal followed by an equally spectacular celebration! 🤯🤯🤯

A sensational outside-the-box volley from the @FulhamFC man brings the USA level against Germany 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/HNM5GM2KLp

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) June 6, 2026

“So I said there is not a chance I am going to have you directing me on a $50 million-$100 million expense to the taxpayers. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. You can’t have something in there that leaves the city and the taxpayers exposed, where (FIFA) gets to decide it and I have no vote in it.”

Soldier Field has been around since 1924 is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places, meaning any changes to its structure would require governmental and public authorisation.

Chicago Sports Commission’s executive director Kara Bachman previously said that taking on hosting duties for the World Cup risked putting the city into debt due to the major costs.

Emanuel says: “I remember they said, ‘This will be great marketing for the city.’

“I said, ‘I don’t need you for marketing.’ We had the NFL draft in 2015 and 2016! So I said, ‘I don’t need you. You think Chicago needs (FIFA) for marketing? Not happening.’

“I can’t monetise marketing. I said, ‘You (FIFA) are taking cash and I get a marketing dollar of some intrinsic value?’ I just said, ‘I don’t know who you talk to, who you negotiate with, but I’m not doing that. That is not a deal.’

"I’m not the smartest businessman but I’ve passed 8th grade math and the numbers don’t work.”

Soldier Field did actually host one of the USMNT's pre-tournament friendlies over the weekend, a 2-1 loss to Germany.