World Cup 2026: Chicago Makes List Of 32 Possible Host Cities

Chicago is one of 32 North American cities that is in the running as a host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the soccer organization's United Bid Committee announced Wednesday. The list of possible candidates includes 25 U.S. cities, four Canadian cities and three Mexican cities. Chicago was one of the World Cup host cities for the 1994 tournament.

Cities that made the cut meet or exceed FIFA's infrastructure requirements and have existing stadiums or plan to build venues that could host the matches. The bid committee next will work with officials from the different cities during a meeting next month in Houston to discuss the tournament's strategy and vision and complete additional paperwork.

If Chicago becomes a host city, World Cup games will be played at Soldier Field, which also hosted matches in 1994. Other Midwest cities still in the mix include Cincinnati, Detroit, Minneapolis and Kansas City, Missouri. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

The committee received applications from 41 North American cities. Nearby cities that were eliminated included Cleveland and Indianapolis.

“While not every city will move forward as a potential host city, we were so impressed by all the applicants that we will continue to engage with all the cities as part of our hosting strategy and we will welcome the opportunity to work with FIFA to further expand our hosting concept to ensure the broadest possible impact for this spectacular event.” John Kristick, the committee's executive director, said in a statement.

Go to the U.S. Soccer website for the complete list of 32 potential host cities.

The opening ceremonies for the 1994 World Cup soccer championships at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by John Swart | Associated Press)

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