Chicago City Wire

Chicago Fire FC defender Christopher Cupps has been selected for the United States U-17 Men’s National Team for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The tournament will take place from November 3 to 27 at the Aspire Zone complex in Al-Rayyan, Qatar.

Cupps, who is 17 years old, joined the Fire as the club’s 27th Homegrown Player when he signed a first-team contract on February 18, 2025. He has started four of the five matches he has played for the Fire this year, including four Major League Soccer games and one match in the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Cupps made his MLS debut against Nashville SC on April 26, 2025, and became the youngest player in club history to start a match for Chicago Fire FC during a scoreless draw against Orlando City SC on May 31, 2025.

The U.S. U-17 team is led by head coach Gonzalo Segares, a former Fire defender. The team will compete in its 19th U-17 World Cup appearance, which is a FIFA record. The United States opens group play against Burkina Faso on November 5, followed by matches against Tajikistan on November 8 and Czechia on November 11. All group stage matches will be broadcast in English on FOX Sports platforms and in Spanish on Telemundo and Universo.

Cupps is one of 14 players on the squad who participated in the Concacaf U-17 qualifiers held in Costa Rica earlier this year. He is also among eight players from the 2008 age group who attended all three U-17 USMNT training camps and the Concacaf qualifiers in 2024.

The U.S. roster includes three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders, and six forwards from clubs across Major League Soccer and USL Championship.

Chicago Fire FC’s next match is scheduled for October 18 against the New England Revolution. The game will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and locally on WLS 890 AM (English) and Que Buena Fire via the Uforia App (Spanish). The club is also preparing for its first postseason appearance since 2017. Fans interested in playoff tickets can text "PLAYOFFS" to 24258 for access to an exclusive presale.

"By texting PLAYOFFS to 24258, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing text messages from Chicago Fire Football Club [24258]. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency varies. Reply HELP for help and STOP to unsubscribe. Other terms apply."