The 2026 FIFA World Cup will see national teams set up headquarters across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with squads choosing base camps to handle training, recovery and travel. Teams from Croatia to Qatar have named cities like Alexandria, Austin, Guadalajara and Mexico City as their home bases, while big names such as Erling Braut Haaland and Luka Modric prepare to play on pitches across the three host nations. Photographs and tour stops—captured by Solrac Santiago and Omar Vega—have already painted a picture of the tournament’s gear and trophy as teams lock in plans.
Most teams pick a single base camp that doubles as living quarters, training ground and medical hub, a place where routine and familiarity can be preserved amid the chaos of tournament travel. That choice often comes down to quality of facilities, controlled climates and efficient travel links to stadiums rather than proximity to every match venue. Organizers expect teams to shuttle to game sites while returning to a stable home base between matches. Staying put in a trusted location can make the difference when games come thick and fast.
In the United States, selections are spread coast to coast and reflect regional strengths. Croatia will live and train in Alexandria, Virginia, using Episcopal High School, while Saudi Arabia has centered on Austin, Texas, with access to Q2 Stadium and Austin FC facilities. Curaçao plans to base in Boca Raton at the FAU soccer complex, and France has chosen the Boston area with Gillette Stadium resources on hand. Scotland opting for Charlotte and Spain picking Chattanooga show how cities across different time zones are ready to host elite squads.
Several heavyweight squads clustered around the Midwest and Kansas City region to take advantage of shared infrastructure. Argentina, England and the Netherlands all list Kansas City as their base area, with Sporting KC’s complex serving as a training hub for the Dutch contingent. Algeria will be in Lawrence at the University of Kansas, while the Czech Republic is set up in Mansfield, Texas, and Brazil has private facilities lined up in Morristown, New Jersey. Those groupings create pockets of international flavor where fans and communities will see regular first-rate practice sessions.
East Coast and southern spots are also prominent in team planning. Senegal will use Rutgers University facilities in New Brunswick, New Jersey, while Ivory Coast will work out of Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. Ecuador will base in Columbus, Ohio, using Crew facilities, and Japan will station in Nashville at the Nashville SC training site. These assignments reflect teams balancing climate comfort and travel routes to stadiums across the tournament map.
West Coast and mountain locations attracted squads seeking particular weather or quieter environs for preparation. The U.S. team chose Irvine, California, around Great Park Stadium, while Australia picked Oakland for Bay Area facilities. Switzerland and New Zealand targeted San Diego, and Germany decided on Winston-Salem with Wake Forest University’s offerings. Belgium will train in Renton at the Seattle Sounders performance center, and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be in Herriman, Utah, near Real Salt Lake’s facilities.
Smaller nations and newer World Cup entrants found bases tailored to their needs, spreading benefits to communities large and small. Cabo Verde will operate out of Tampa’s Waters Sportsplex, Ghana has Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island, and Haiti will use Stockton University in Galloway Township, New Jersey. Iran’s squad selected Tucson’s Kino Sports Complex, and Uzbekistan will be at Atlanta United’s training center in Marietta, Georgia. Those choices offer access to good practice surfaces and localized medical support.
Mexico will host several teams inside its borders, with Guadalajara set to welcome South Korea and Colombia using top-tier Liga MX facilities and Estadio Akron. Mexico’s own national team plans to base in Mexico City at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento, while Uruguay will choose a Riviera Maya training complex in Playa del Carmen. South Africa and Tunisia opted for Pachuca and Monterrey, taking advantage of university and club training centers with proven track records.
Canada’s entries include Panama setting up in New Tecumseth, Ontario, on local training grounds, and the host Canadian team will operate out of Vancouver’s National Soccer Development Centre. Those venues are part of a cross-border network of sites that will support teams traveling between host cities in different countries. Despite matches being hosted in three nations, organizers expect base camps to remain the operational centers for each team throughout the competition.
As the tournament approaches, more confirmations are expected and some teams may tweak locations based on late logistical developments. The principle is clear: a reliable home base gives squads control over recovery, consistency in training routines and a familiar setting to regroup after matches. Images of the Trionda match ball and the original trophy captured by Solrac Santiago and Omar Vega have already underlined how close the World Cup feel is getting, even before the first kickoff.
