FIFA Finalizes World Cup Team Training Locations Across North America
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FIFA has finalized the list of training bases for national teams competing in the 2026 World Cup across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament, which begins on June 11, will see 39 of the 48 competing teams based in the U.S., utilizing facilities from universities to professional sports complexes. This is the first World Cup hosted in the U.S. since 1994.
Facts First
- FIFA finalized the list of team training locations for the 2026 World Cup this week.
- 39 of the 48 tournament competitors will be based in the United States, with others in Canada and Mexico.
- More than 20 cities across 19 U.S. states will serve as training grounds for national teams.
- The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, with the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
- This is the first World Cup in the U.S. since 1994, with matches across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
What Happened
FIFA finalized the list of training locations for national teams competing in the 2026 World Cup. The tournament will be held in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, beginning on June 11 and running through July 19. Thirty-nine of the 48 competing teams will be based in the United States, utilizing more than 20 cities across 19 states as training grounds. The final will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which is one of 11 U.S. match venues.
Why this Matters to You
If you live in or near one of the designated training cities, you may notice increased activity and international visitors as teams arrive to prepare. This could bring a local economic boost and opportunities to see top athletes in your community. For soccer fans, the wide distribution of team bases across the continent makes the tournament's preparation phase more visible and accessible than in past editions held in a single country.
What's Next
Teams will begin arriving at their assigned bases in the lead-up to the tournament's June 11 start. The Iranian national soccer team has requested to move its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Mexico, a request that may be processed in the coming weeks. The finalized logistics allow teams to finalize their acclimatization and practice schedules ahead of the first matches.