1. World Cup 2026
2. Base Camps and Teams

Base camps and training facilities for the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup will be a historic tournament with 48 teams participating, and organising this large-scale event requires extensive preparations. The host nations, Canada, the United States and Mexico, will together provide a wide range of training facilities, player hotels and base camps to ensure that teams and referees can work in optimal conditions.

This article will discuss how each host nation makes its unique contribution to the facilities for the participating teams, highlighting the features of the base camps, player hotels and training pitches.

Canada: Modern training facilities and welcoming player hotels

Canada offers an extensive network of training grounds and player hotels across its vast geography. With over 23 host cities, there are numerous options available for teams seeking a peaceful and well-equipped environment to prepare for their matches. The base camps in Canada are designed to meet FIFA’s highest standards and also offer a wide range of additional facilities.

Key features of Canada's facilities:

• 4 and 5 star hotels: The selected player hotels are of top quality and provide comfort and privacy, essential for players to concentrate optimally.
• Extensive training grounds: These are fully equipped with fitness and physiotherapy centres, with some even offering additional facilities such as swimming pools and relaxation areas.
• Cultural Diversity: Canada is a multicultural society, and teams can count on a wide variety of food options, religious facilities, and even support from local speakers of their native language.

Canada’s hospitality and infrastructure make it an ideal destination for teams looking for a peaceful yet fully-equipped location to prepare for their World Cup matches. Teams can benefit from modern facilities in a welcoming environment.

Mexico: Football culture and high-quality training locations

Mexico, a country with a rich football tradition, also offers excellent facilities for the teams participating in the 2026 World Cup. The country has some of the best football clubs in the region, and many of these clubs offer their facilities for use by the teams. In addition, Mexico offers a wide range of training locations, from urban facilities to remote university campuses, which provide teams with the privacy they need to optimally prepare.

Key features of Mexico's training facilities:

• Liga MX Stadiums: Many of the training facilities on offer are affiliated with the top clubs in the Mexican football league, meaning teams can take advantage of well-maintained and professional venues.
• Player Hotels: The hotels associated with the training locations have been carefully selected based on their comfort and proximity to the pitches, so that players can rest and train with ease.
• Additional Facilities: Many training fields are equipped with fitness centres, medical facilities and other amenities to provide optimal support to players.

With its rich football history, Mexico offers a dynamic and energetic environment for participating teams, while modern facilities ensure teams can prepare well.

United States: Advanced Facilities and Referee Camps

The United States, as one of the largest and most advanced sports markets in the world, offers a wide range of facilities that are perfectly suited to the needs of the teams and referees. From MLS stadiums to training fields on college campuses, the US offers numerous high-quality options for teams to base themselves and train. In addition, dedicated base camps will be set up for referees, with Dallas and Houston emerging as central locations for referee camps.

Features of the facilities in the United States:

• Team Base Camps: With a wide variety of professional training facilities, the US offers flexible options ranging from large stadiums to remote college locations that provide privacy and tranquility for teams.
• Top quality player hotels: The hotels associated with the training locations are top class, ensuring optimum comfort and rest for the players.
• Central Referee Camps: The United States will also offer dedicated referee camps, with Houston and Dallas as key locations due to their central location and excellent infrastructure.

The United States has built a strong reputation for hosting major sporting events and its extensive infrastructure allows teams and referees to fully concentrate on their performance during the tournament.

Flexibility and additional facilities

In addition to the planned base camps and training facilities in the host cities, the host countries offer additional options in case more locations are needed. For example, other cities that have not been selected as hosts can still be involved by making their training facilities available. This makes up to 84 base camps available for the participating teams.

Some advantages of the flexibility in the facilities:

• Additional training fields and facilities outside the official host cities.
• Greater freedom of choice for teams to choose the location that suits them best.
• Continuous upgrades and improvements to ensure facilities meet the highest standards.

A World Cup with extensive facilities for teams

The 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States promises to be a large-scale and well-organised event, with teams and referees able to count on first-class facilities.

With a wide range of base camps, player hotels and training grounds, the host nations provide an ideal environment for the teams to prepare for their matches. The careful planning and the extensive facilities in each of the three host nations ensure that the 2026 World Cup will not only be a sporting success, but also a logistical masterpiece.

Hotels and facilities for referees

During the 2026 World Cup, good facilities for referees are crucial. The organization proposes to establish the referee headquarters in Texas, with Dallas or Houston as possible locations. These cities offer central locations, excellent training facilities and comfortable hotels, ideal for the preparation and recovery of the referees.

Ross Stewart Soccer Complex, Dallas

The Ross Stewart Soccer Complex offers six floodlit grass pitches and facilities such as a clubhouse, gym and indoor field. This complex is ideal for referees to train and recover.

Features:

• Six illuminated lawns.
• Fitness and rehabilitation center.
• Infield for additional training options.

George Turner Stadium, Houston

In Houston, George Turner Stadium offers multiple grass fields and fitness facilities. The nearby Sheraton Hotel provides comfort and easy access to the training field.

Features:

• Several grass fields and fitness facilities.
• Close to the Sheraton Hotel.
• Easily accessible from the airport.

Referee hotels

Referees stay in luxury hotels close to their training locations, such as the Sheraton in Houston. This hotel offers comfort and a quick connection to the training facilities, which supports the peace and focus of the referees.

Arrival and Stay of Teams during the 2026 World Cup

According to Article 18 of the 2026 World Cup regulations, there are clear rules defining when and where participating nations must arrive, stay, and train. These guidelines ensure that all teams are fully prepared before the tournament begins.

Arrival in the Host Country

Each nation participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026 must arrive in its host country - Canada, Mexico, or the United States - no later than five days before its first group match. This allows teams enough time to adapt to the local conditions and tournament logistics.

Official Accommodation

The teams stay exclusively in FIFA-designated hotels, known as Team Base Camp Hotels or Venue-Specific Team Hotels. These accommodations are selected for their safety, facilities, and proximity to training locations.

Teams remain in their official hotel from five days before their first match until one day after their elimination or final game.

Team Base Camps and Travel

Before the tournament begins, each nation selects a Team Base Camp from the official FIFA brochure. This camp serves as the team’s headquarters and training base during the group stage.

From this base, teams travel to the host city one day before each game (or two days in special cases). After each match, they return to their camp to prepare for the next fixture.

Travel during the Knockout Stage

From the Round of 32 onward, teams no longer stay at their fixed base camp. Instead, they travel from city to city as they progress through the tournament. This system — known as “venue-hopping” — continues until the team is eliminated or wins the World Cup.

Training Sites during the 2026 World Cup: Rules and Conditions

According to Article 21 of the 2026 World Cup regulations, strict standards apply to the training facilities of all participating nations. FIFA aims to ensure optimal preparation under professional conditions, with top-quality pitches and modern facilities.

Approval and Availability

All training sites are pre-approved by FIFA. The pitches are available from five days before a team’s first match until one day after their elimination or last game. During this time, teams may use the fields according to their official training schedule.

Official Training Locations

From five days before their first group match, teams may only use FIFA-designated training sites.

These include the Team Base Camp Training Site (the permanent training location near the team hotel) and, if applicable, a Venue-Specific Training Site near the stadium of the next match.

Pitch Protection

To maintain field quality, official training sites may not be used for matches or events within one month of the World Cup’s opening match unless FIFA provides written approval.

Field Requirements and Condition

Training pitches must be of excellent quality and meet international match dimensions as specified in the Laws of the Game.

Each field must be well-mowed, fully lined, and in perfect condition.

Facilities and Equipment

Every official training site must include:

• at least one locker room with showers and toilets,
• pitch staff and maintenance equipment,
• training aids such as cones, free-kick walls, agility ladders, and movable goals.

Additionally, all training facilities for teams and referees must be located close to their hotels and free of commercial branding, except that of official FIFA partners.

Smoke-Free Zones

At all official training sites during the 2026 World Cup, smoking, vaping, or the use of tobacco products is only allowed in designated areas, if available.

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Discover the base camps and player hotels for the 2026 World Cup, with excellent facilities and training fields for teams to train and perform at their best.

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