Robert Lewandowski's MLS debut postponed by wildfire smoke

Polish striker Robert Lewandowski completed his move to Major League Soccer, signing a Designated Player contract with Chicago Fire through the 2027‑28 season. The club disclosed a salary of about US$16 million per year, plus marketing bonuses, making it one of the league’s richest deals.

Lewandowski’s first appearance was scheduled for a Thursday night match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Chicago’s Soldier Field. That game was cancelled and pushed to 6 October after hazardous air quality from massive wildfires in Ontario, Canada, sent thick smoke over the Midwest. The Air Quality Index in Chicago reached a hazardous 343, prompting citywide closures of outdoor activities. The postponement gave Lewandowski an extra week of training before his eventual debut, which is now set for an away game against Inter Miami on 23 July.

The smoke incident also sparked broader concerns about the health safety of the upcoming 2026 World Cup final in nearby New York/New Jersey. Officials, including White House representatives, were reported to be meeting FIFA president Gianni Infantino about possible impacts.

Off the pitch, Lewandowski faced social‑media criticism for his wife Anna Lewandowska’s absence from his Chicago arrival, as she attended a concert in Warsaw. Writer Blanka Lipińska publicly defended the couple, condemning the “sick” behavior of commenters. Former boxer Andrzej Gołota and former Legia Warsaw co‑owner Bogusław Leśnodorski also weighed in, labeling the match cancellation a “massacre”.