Chicago has once again put its hat in the ring to host a FIFA World Cup.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office wants the city to place a bid to be a host for the women’s competition in 2031, according to the office.
While the Chicago Sports Commission would lead the charge, a spokesperson said the mayor sent a letter of support of the initiative to the U.S. Soccer Federation on Oct. 7. The commission didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
A Johnson spokesperson said the bid process didn’t involve specifying any specific venue.
Chicago had previously passed twice on hosting the FIFA World Cup due to concerns of what it would cost taxpayers.
In 2010, Chicago dropped out of the United States’ unsuccessful bid to host the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022, when then-Mayor Richard M. Daley’s administration refused a promise to spend an estimated $10 million required to host matches.
Eight years later, under then-Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, Chicago once again dropped its bid to host the 2026 men’s tournament — despite Soldier Field making a short list for venues under consideration to host games — due to “uncertainty for taxpayers” regarding the cost for the city to host.
If Chicago were to host again, the most obvious venue would be Soldier Field. The stadium previously hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1994.
Since then, the stadium — which can pack in between 61,500 and 65,000 people depending on its configuration for football games or soccer matches — has consistently drawn crowds of more than 60,000 to see Lionel Messi play with Inter-Miami against the Chicago Fire. It has also hosted matches featuring Manchester United in recent years.
In April 2025, Messi played to a crowd of 62,538, and a slightly smaller crowd witnessed a 2023 game in Chicago he missed due to injury. The highest tally came just last month, when more than 63,000 fans packed Soldier Field.
Representatives for Soldier Field didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did representatives from the Fire or Red Stars, Chicago’s National Women’s Soccer League team.
Another option could be hosting World Cup matches at the soon-to-be constructed McDonald’s Park that the Fire is building at The 78. That could put the event at a soccer-specific stadium projected to seat 22,000 when it opens in 2028.
In August, FIFA announced Maracaña Stadium in Rio de Janeiro would host the opening match and final of the 2027 Women’s World Cup. It is where the NFL recently made its South America debut at the renovated 79,000-seat stadium that hosted the 2014 men’s tournament.
Contributing: AP