This summer, the 2026 FIFA World Cup took the stage, bringing countries from across the world to the United States, Canada and Mexico as they competed to be champions of the world. This cycle, the tournament featured two athletes that were born and raised in Illinois. Chris Brady from Naperville represented the United States as a goalie and Brian Gutierrez from Berwyn represented Mexico as a midfielder.
Chris Brady was born in 2004 in Naperville Illinois. Along with representing the U.S. Men’s National Team on the world stage, Brady represents Illinois in the Major League Soccer, playing for the Chicago Fire FC. Despite being a younger goalkeeper in the MLS, Brady has more than 100 appearances, with over 300 saves and 25 clean sheets.
Brian Gutierrez was born in Berwyn, Illinois starting his career through the Chicago Fire youth academy, before joining the Chicago Fire in 2020. In 2025, the midfielder helped the Fire reach their first MLS Cup playoff appearance since 2017, before eventually leaving to play for Guadalajara in Liga MX. Gutierrez has scored two international goals for Mexico in seven international appearances. In the 2026 World Cup, he appeared in four matches and recorded six shots and two tackles.
Both the United States and Mexico made quarterfinals of the tournament, but their journeys ended there with the United States falling to Belgium and Mexico falling to England. Illinois is proud to have athletes representing our state on the world stage!
