With the 2026 FIFA World Cup taking a short break before Sunday's final between Spain and Argentina, football fans have a rare chance to turn their attention elsewhere. There are no World Cup matches scheduled today, and with Europe's major domestic leagues still in their offseason, soccer fans can shift to Major League Soccer for one of its biggest nights of the year.
Chicago heads into the game sitting third in the Eastern Conference after winning its final three matches before the World Cup break and Vancouver returns as the Western Conference leader, having scored four goals in its last outing before the pause.
The wait is almost over. Robert Lewandowski is expected to make his MLS debut when Chicago Fire FC host the Vancouver Whitecaps on Thursday at Soldier Field. While the Polish striker is unlikely to be in the starting lineup after joining the club only recently, he should make his first appearance in a Chicago shirt during the match.
He is a great addition to the Chicago Fire FC roster as they push for the playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT).
Where to Watch Chicago Fire FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps Live
If you're hoping to watch Lewandowski's MLS debut, you'll need Apple TV's MLS Season Pass. The match is streaming exclusively on the platform and will not be shown on traditional television channels.
In the USA and Canada, Prime Video is also carrying the game, and EA Sports FC Mobile (FCM TV) will simulcast the official broadcast and offer in-game rewards for viewers following the action through the app.
For fans listening on the radio, the match will air on 98.5 The Sports Hub in the Chicago area. Vancouver supporters can tune into 101.1 HD3 or stream the broadcast through CKNW.com.
Live Streaming & Broadcast
- Worldwide: Apple TV (MLS Season Pass)
- Selected regions: Prime Video
- Mobile: EA Sports FC Mobile (FCM TV)
- Chicago radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub
- Vancouver radio: 101.1 HD3 / CKNW.com
More Than Just Lewandowski's Debut
There are plenty of other storylines to watch as well. Former Bayern Munich teammates Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Müller will line up on opposite sides for the first time in MLS, bringing back memories of their trophy-filled years together in Germany.
Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images
Lewandowski's arrival has given Chicago plenty of reasons for optimism. During his unveiling, the Polish star admitted leaving Europe was a huge step for both him and his family. He also made it clear that, after Barcelona, he never saw himself playing for another European club. If he was going to start a new chapter, he wanted it to be somewhere completely different.
Chicago made perfect sense. The city has the largest Polish community in the United States and outside of Warsaw, counting more than 182,000 residents of Polish descent strictly within the official city limits (roughly 7% of the city), which scales up to over 800,000 residents when including the broader metropolitan area and suburbs where families relocated over the decades, giving the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski a connection that goes far beyond football.
Head coach Gregg Berhalter believes Lewandowski can make an immediate difference once he reaches full fitness. The plan is to pair him with Hugo Cuypers, who has already scored 11 league goals this season, creating one of MLS's most dangerous attacking partnerships.
The match also has a personal twist for Berhalter. The Chicago coach will be facing the Vancouver Whitecaps, the club where his son, Sebastian Berhalter, plays.
