World Cup 1994
Gery Chico explains that the city hoped to use the World Cup to present Chicago to global leaders like Helmut Kohl, then the Chancellor of Germany, who would be in attendance to see his national team play in the opening match.
Sarah Pang describes the World Cup as the city’s “coming out to the whole world,” an early effort in what would be a long-term campaign to attract global attention to Chicago. She also highlights the Mayor’s focus on Chicago’s diverse communities with international connections.
"We have every ethnic and racial group here in this city," Mayor Daley declared at a press conference announcing Chicago’s successful bid to serve as a host site, "And world soccer will help portray Chicago as an international city."
– Chicago Tribune March 24, 1992.