Base camps don’t get the headlines squads do, but they win World Cups. A team’s base for the month is where they sleep, train, recover, and fly out from on matchdays. With 16 cities spread across three countries, the choice matters more than it ever has. Here’s what to watch for as announcements land.
Previous World Cups were largely held in one country. The longest flight was usually 90 minutes. 2026 has cross-country legs built into some groups. Teams want:
The pattern, same at every tournament:
They’ll probably base somewhere central. Atlanta, Dallas, or KC all make sense given the group-stage cluster they’ll get. A Georgia or Texas camp with on-site training pitches and short flights in every direction.
Expect a Florida camp — probably Miami-adjacent — for heat acclimatisation and access to ET venues. The FA has run warm-weather camps in Orlando and Miami before; the pattern fits.
France likes modern, private facilities with top-tier training pitches. A Texas or Atlanta area camp would make sense if their group is central/east.
Germany tends to pick places with climate and altitude matching the opener. Given the US heat variable, expect a Mid-Atlantic or North-East base.
Both federations will almost certainly base in the US South or Florida — heat-acclimated, short flights to likely group venues, proximity to travelling supporters.
El Tri will base in Mexico, most likely the Mexico City / Toluca corridor. Altitude training at home, no cross-border travel for group stage.
Toronto or Vancouver — wherever their group-stage opener is, they’ll base within 90 minutes of it.
Most base camps will be announced between mid-April and early May. FIFA publishes a running list once federations confirm. Watch:
Watch for one or two federations to pick camps that look unusual — maybe a smaller university town with a perfect training facility. These often end up being the dark-horse teams. A tight campus with zero distractions has quietly been a feature of multiple tournament-surprise squads.
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