CHICAGO – Chris Brady didn’t need long to explain what it would mean to play for the U.S. men’s national team when it hosts Germany in a pre-World Cup exhibition match at Soldier Field on Saturday in his hometown.

“It would be incredible,” the Chicago Fire goalkeeper said. “A lot of pride, a lot of excitement and a lot of energy for me for sure.”

Brady, 22, grew up in suburban Naperville, came through the Chicago Fire Academy and is now set to represent the United States on home soil in his first World Cup. Unfortunately for Brady, his rise has unfolded in a city that eight years ago declined to host the tournament. 

For Chicago’s former leadership, what is considered the pinnacle of soccer and the largest sporting event on the globe was deemed a risk not worth taking. That contrast highlights the complicated relationship between the sports mecca of Chicago and the tournament that will help define the future of the world’s game in 2026.

Chicago withdrew its bid in 2018, with then‑mayor Rahm Emanuel framing FIFA’s requirements as financially untenable. 

“The guys from international soccer wanted us to underwrite their sporting event,” Emanuel said in a statement. “I am not going to write a company a blank check that can fleece the taxpayers.”

Matthew McGrath, Emanuel’s spokesman, echoed that stance in a statement, citing “major unknowns that put our city and taxpayers at risk” and pointing to FIFA’s “inflexibility and unwillingness to negotiate.” 

The message Emanuel’s administration portrayed was clear: Becoming a host city presented too much downside for its residents and too little certainty that Chicago would benefit.

Neil deMause is the creator, founder, and writer of the stadium-watch website ⁠Field of Schemes. He also co-authored the original book upon which it is based, with Joanna Cagan.

DeMause said Emanuel’s logic aligns with decades of research on mega‑events. Hosting, he noted, often brings unpredictable costs, logistical strain on residents and minimal economic return. He said it is a common pattern that has played out across other domestically hosted events such as the Olympics. 

“I don’t want to say it’s surprising,” deMause said of Chicago’s decision. “There have certainly been plenty of cities that have turned down these sorts of mega-events because they feel like the cost would be too high.”

He pointed to the financial model that comes with hosting modern sports mega‑events.

“It’s pretty common practice with all of these kinds of events,” he said. “If you’re going to host the Super Bowl, then the NFL wants some money for that. If you’re going to host the NFL Draft, the NFL wants money for that. The Olympics, obviously, is infamous for requiring billions of dollars in local spending because all additional costs have to be covered by the local city, and there are always additional costs.”

DeMause said the promised economic benefits rarely materialize for host cities. 

“There isn’t a whole lot of upside as much as FIFA tries to sell it,” he said. “There’s decades of research at this point of people finding that the positive impact of a sports mega‑event is really – it’s not nothing, but it moves the decimal place over one from what the games are.”

DeMause said the burden often falls on residents who see little direct benefit. 

“We are going to gain nothing from it being in New York except for lots of traffic because we can’t afford to go to the games,” he said of his own city. “There’s like entire days that the New Jersey commuter rail system is going to be closed during rush hour because they have to use all the trains to take people to the World Cup matches.

“These events are not for regular people. They’re for people with a lot of money. For everyone else, it’s just a pain.”

DeMause also noted that FIFA’s negotiating position leaves cities with little wiggle room. 

“It’s kind of a shame that the U.S., Canada, and Mexico didn’t drive a harder bargain,” he said. “They could have just tried to say, ‘Hey, look, be happy with the fact that you’re going to gouge on ticket prices like never before.’ But that sort of negotiation should never happen.”

Chicago’s decision reflects the dichotomy between the economics of hosting and fan interest in popular events. Chicago resident and soccer fan Jimmy Milas understands that fragile balance.

“The way I’ve seen other cities handle FIFA and the World Cup, I’m glad to give Chicago a little breathing room,” Milas said.

Despite electing not to host, the Windy City continues to have a direct impact on the national team and the nation’s soccer culture.

Former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter’s son, Sebastian Berhalter, is further proof.

“Chicago, I call it home,” said Berhalter, whose dad now coaches the Fire. “It’s where my family lives. It’s great coming back here. Last time I was here, I made my debut for the national team. So yeah, I’m super excited to be here.”

The U.S. will open its official World Cup campaign against Paraguay on June 12, and Brady said the magnitude of the event still hasn’t fully hit him. 

“I’m sure it’ll set in in that first game when I hear the national anthem,” he said.

Before that moment arrives, the U.S. faces one final test in Chicago against Germany in the last tune‑up before the World Cup kicks off. While it’s considered an exhibition on paper, Brady dismissed the idea that the match is a friendly.

“This is the furthest thing from a friendly game,” he said. “It’s the last one to prepare for the biggest stage in the world. We’re going to go out there and just look to kill our opponent any way we can with the ball, without the ball.”

The U.S. enters the match still sorting out its goalkeeper hierarchy, with Brady competing for the top spot in an experienced group that remains unsettled heading into the tournament. 

For Brady, the possibility of playing in Chicago, even in a stadium that won’t see further World Cup action, carries an immense weight.

“It’s a familiar place,” he said. “A lot of pride, a lot of excitement.”

The U.S. won’t be playing a World Cup match here, and Chicago won’t be hosting any others, but the moment still carries weight. And while Chicago may not be present on the tournament schedule, for Brady, Berhalter and the national team, it remains a key part of the story.

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