{"id":39899,"date":"2026-01-29T11:33:34","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T16:33:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/unveiling-surprising-base-camp-choices-why-world-cup-teams-are-choosing-offbeat-locations-across-the-us\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T11:33:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T16:33:34","slug":"unveiling-surprising-base-camp-choices-why-world-cup-teams-are-choosing-offbeat-locations-across-the-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/unveiling-surprising-base-camp-choices-why-world-cup-teams-are-choosing-offbeat-locations-across-the-us\/","title":{"rendered":"Unveiling Surprising Base Camp Choices: Why World Cup Teams Are Choosing Offbeat Locations Across the US"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On a December afternoon, as the World Cup draw wrapped up in Washington, the groups and host cities for this summer\u2019s soccer event in North America were revealed, providing teams and their supporters clarity about their upcoming journeys.<\/p>\n

For the German football federation, this announcement ignited preparations for matches in Houston, Toronto, and the New York City area.<\/p>\n

Additionally, they look forward to returning to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a notably less bustling locale.<\/p>\n

The World Cup matches will take place in 16 major cities across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, while teams will primarily train at base camps set up throughout the continent. Some of these camps are in unexpected places, like prep schools, university grounds, and smaller towns not directly linked to the five-week tournament featuring 48 nations.<\/p>\n

Although FIFA won\u2019t confirm these camp choices until the week of February 9, several teams have already stated their plans, and many others are in the final stages of organizing theirs.<\/p>\n

Brazil has opted for the new Red Bull New York training facility in northern New Jersey, while Croatia will hold practices at a boarding school near Washington. Spain plans to base itself in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Norway has chosen Greensboro, North Carolina.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, France will set up in Boston, Portugal in Miami, Belgium appears to favor Seattle, and South Korea has selected Guadalajara, Mexico. Reports indicate that four teams, including England and the reigning champions Argentina, are interested in the Kansas City area.<\/p>\n

The U.S. team, which has two of its three Group D games in the Los Angeles area, is likely to train full-time in Southern California.<\/p>\n

Last year, as the U.S. began qualifying for the World Cup, the race to secure long-term training facilities kicked off, paired with brief visits to match venues. FIFA provided a brochure with 64 potential sites, ranging from professional facilities in major cities to offbeat options like Boise, Idaho; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Stillwater, Oklahoma; and Spokane, Washington.<\/p>\n

The federation had the choice to step back from this process, but any selection needed FIFA\u2019s approval. While FIFA offered a diverse list of options, teams were prioritized according to their rank and proximity to match sites, making it possible for them to overlook top choices.<\/p>\n

Germany, sidestepping FIFA\u2019s list, opted to train at Wake Forest University and lodge at the nearby Gray Linn Estate, a boutique hotel recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.<\/p>\n

Andreas Rettig, the managing director of sports at the German Federation (DFB), commented, \u201cWe are establishing the best conditions possible for a successful tournament. This offers an ideal environment both for sports and infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n

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