World Cup 2026: Spain defeats Argentina in Final, watch parties held in Chicago | Updates

As Argentina and Spain faced off in the World Cup Final Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, fans near and far were cheering on their favorite team.

In Chicago, fans gathered at Harrison Park in Pilsen for a family-friendly watch party.

There were food trucks and lots more for people to enjoy while watching the big match.

Harrison Park proved to be a perfect venue for those in search of a more family friendly World Cup watch party. There was no partisan rivalry. Just pure enjoyment of the game and the day.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires that engulfed the Northeast in haze is expected to mostly clear from the New Jersey area just in time for the World Cup final on Sunday thanks to thunderstorms passing through, meteorologists said.

Still, warnings of unhealthy air remained in effect Saturday across a wide swath of the United States, and President Donald Trump continued to lay blame on Canada for the smoke crossing the border.

Trump, who planned to attend the cup final, threatened to impose tariffs in response, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized that as unacceptable and shortsighted.

At MetLife Stadium, where the World Cup final is scheduled to take place, the sky was the same thick, soupy gray it has been for days, even after a drenching thunderstorm prompted warnings of flash flooding and forced the Spanish national team to suspend its last outdoor training session ahead of the clash with Argentina.

After the rain cleared, Netherlands tourists Joost Timpers and his two sons were among fans taking photos outside the open-air venue, which has been renamed the New York/New Jersey Stadium for the matches.

They did not have tickets to the final but biked more than an hour from their hotel just to see the arena up close. Timpers said he was certain players and fans will fare just fine even if conditions do not improve.

"We're not experts in air quality, of course, but we are experiencing the quality now," he said. "I didn't experience anything different from cycling in the Netherlands or anywhere else."

Argentina advanced to the World Cup final by beating England 2-1; they will play Spain for the title on Sunday.

World Cup watch parties across Chicago are drawing large crowds, with fans embracing the global tournament while looking ahead to what they see as a promising future for soccer in the city.

At Recess in the West Loop, nearly every World Cup watch party has been packed, reflecting growing enthusiasm for the sport and increasing interest in Chicago's home teams.

World Cup watch parties across Chicago are drawing large crowds.

"The only one sport in the world. We like bring everyone together," said Erwin Maweet, who was cheering for France on Tuesday.

Fans gathered Tuesday afternoon to watch matches, filling the venue and creating an atmosphere that organizers and attendees said highlights soccer's ability to bring together people from different cultures.

"Specially for a city like Chicago, that we have a good team and we start to have a better team at the, you know, MLS. And I think soccer in 10 years will be like really really big," Maweet said.

The excitement comes as the Chicago Fire prepare to add Robert Lewandowski, a player coming from Barcelona. Supporters said his arrival is expected to boost interest in a sport already considered one of the fastest-growing in the city.

"Robert's won his entire career and there's going to be a certain measurement: OK, did we win with him? You know, everywhere he's been, he's won titles," Chicago Fire Head Coach Gregg Berhalter said.

For some fans, the move is comparable to other high-profile soccer signings in the United States.

"It will be like Messi in Miami or you know other teams in the United States," said Marcos Campos, who was cheering for Spain Tuesday.

Chicago's soccer following has even surprised some international visitors.

"I thought you guys wouldn't really care too much about soccer over here," said Zak Rezagi, who was visiting from Ireland.

His friend Patrick added, "I think it's just an excuse to drink."

For longtime supporters, the World Cup excitement is rooted in a lifelong passion for the game.

"I remember just watching the game, getting up early because it was a different time," said Karen Amigon, who has followed soccer since she was 12 and was cheering for Spain.

As the tournament continues, fans say there is no better place to celebrate the sport.

"Viva España," Amigon said.

Even after the World Cup concludes, Chicago soccer supporters will have more to look forward to, including the arrival of Lewandowski and a new Chicago Fire stadium planned for 2028.

Spain beat France 2-0 Tuesday.