The U.S. men’s national team and Germany face off Saturday at Soldier Field in the Coca‑Cola Send‑Off Match, the final exhibition for both squads before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m. Central, giving Chicago fans a rare chance to see something that looks and feels like a World Cup match without leaving the lakefront.
Naperville native Chris Brady, the Chicago Fire’s starting goalkeeper, is on the U.S. World Cup roster and supplies the built‑in hometown storyline. Chicago Fire FC announced his call‑up and noted he is the club’s first Homegrown player selected for a World Cup squad. His inclusion gives local supporters a Chicago‑raised player to back in what is otherwise a global showcase.
Christian Pulisic is expected to spearhead the U.S. attack, with Folarin Balogun and Gio Reyna also in contention as manager Mauricio Pochettino experiments with combinations ahead of the tournament. NBC Chicago notes the Americans arrive in town after a win over Senegal and a mixed set of earlier friendlies, which included losses to Belgium and Portugal and a 5-1 win over Uruguay late last year. With the World Cup opener less than a week away, the staff will treat the matchup as a live test of fitness, chemistry and formations.
Germany's firepower
Germany rolls in with a stacked attacking group, with Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz and Deniz Undav among the forwards expected to challenge the U.S. back line. U.S. Soccer’s opponent profile points to a blend of established stars from top European clubs and in‑form scorers, making this a serious gauge of where the Americans stand. Both coaching staffs will be hunting for answers on roles and tactics before the real thing kicks off.
When, where and how to watch
Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. Central at Soldier Field. The stadium lists gates opening at 11:30 a.m., parking lots at 9:30 a.m., plus a Jim Beam U.S. Soccer Block Party on the stadium green leading into the game. Soldier Field also outlines match‑day logistics and bag policies for fans heading to the lakefront. For those watching from home, the game will air locally on Telemundo Chicago and across Turner Sports platforms nationwide, according to NBC Chicago.
The U.S. opens Group D play at the World Cup against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12, and the Chicago send‑off stands as the last full‑scale dress rehearsal before that match. U.S. Soccer notes the team will aim to carry any confidence and rhythm from Soldier Field straight into its home‑soil World Cup start, which makes Saturday feel like a lot more than a friendly.
