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FIFA Reveals 48 World Cup Team Base Training Sites

TIJUANA, MEXICO - MAY 25: Panoramic view of Estadio Caliente on May 25, 2026 in Tijuana, Mexico. Francisco Vega/Getty Images/AFP
TIJUANA, MEXICO - MAY 25: Panoramic view of Estadio Caliente on May 25, 2026 in Tijuana, Mexico. Francisco Vega/Getty Images/AFP
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FIFA Reveals 48 World Cup Team Base Training Sites

TIJUANA, MEXICO - MAY 25: Panoramic view of Estadio Caliente on May 25, 2026 in Tijuana, Mexico. Francisco Vega/Getty Images/AFP
TIJUANA, MEXICO - MAY 25: Panoramic view of Estadio Caliente on May 25, 2026 in Tijuana, Mexico. Francisco Vega/Getty Images/AFP

Defending champions Argentina and England will have their World Cup teams based in Kansas City under a list of training sites announced by FIFA on Monday.

The record 48 teams competing in the global football showdown that begins next month will have 39 teams based in the United States, seven more based in Mexico and two based in Canada.

"Team Base Camps are an integral part of the fabric of any FIFA World Cup," said Heimo Schirgi, 2026 FIFA World Cup chief operating officer. "They are where teams put down roots, train and recuperate, and experience the day-to-day rhythms of the tournament."

Iran were confirmed with a team base in Tijuana, Mexico.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday said the country would allow Iran to be based there to avoid US visa restrictions.

Colombia, South Korea, Mexico, South Africa, Tunisia and Uruguay will also be based in Mexico with Canada and Panama based in Canada and the rest settled in US venues.

Saudi Arabia: Austin, TX (Austin FC Stadium)
Algeria: Kansas City (University of Kansas)
Argentina: Kansas City (Sporting KC Training Centre)
Australia: San Francisco Bay Area (Oakland Roots/Soul facility)
Austria: Goleta, CA (UC Santa Barbara)
Belgium: Renton, WA (Seattle Sounders performance centre)
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Sandy, UT (RSL Stadium)
Brazil: New York-New Jersey (Columbia Park Training Facility)
Canada: Vancouver (National Soccer Development Centre)
Cote d'Ivoire: Philadelphia (Philadelphia Union)
Congo DR: Houston (Houston Training Centre)
Colombia: Guadalajara, MX (Academia Atlas FC)
Cabo Verde: Tampa, FL (Waters Sportsplex)
Croatia: Alexandria (Episcopal High School)
Curaçao: Boca Raton, FL (Florida Atlantic University)
Czechia: Dallas (Mansfield Multipurpose Stadium)
Ecuador: Columbus, OH (Columbus Crew Performance Centre)
Egypt: Spokane, WA (Gonzaga University)
England: Kansas City (Swope Soccer Village)
Spain: Chattanooga, TN (Baylor School)
France: Boston (Bentley University)
Germany: Winston-Salem, NC (Wake Forest University)
Ghana: Boston (Bryant University)
Haiti: New York-New Jersey (Stockton University)
Iran: Tijuana, MX (Centro Xoloitzcuintle)
Iraq: Greenbrier, WV (Greenbrier Sports Performance Centre)
Jordan: Portland (University of Portland)
Japan: Nashville, TN (Nashville SC facility)
South Korea: Guadalajara, MX (Chivas Verde Valle)
Morocco: New York-New Jersey (Pingry School)
Mexico: Mexico City (Centro de Alto Rendimiento)
Netherlands: Kansas City (KC Current Training Facility)
Norway: Greensboro, NC (UNC Greensboro)
New Zealand: San Diego (University of San Diego - Torero Stadium)
Panama: New Tecumseth, CAN (Nottawasaga Training Site)
Paraguay: San Francisco Bay Area (Spartan Soccer Complex)
Portugal: Palm Beach Gardens (Gardens North County District Park)
Qatar: Santa Barbara, CA (Westmont College)
South Africa: Pachuca, MX (Pachuca - Universidad Del Futbol)
Scotland: Charlotte, NC (Charlotte FC facility)
Senegal: New York-New Jersey (Rutgers University)
Switzerland: San Diego (SDJA)
Sweden: Dallas (FC Dallas Stadium)
Tunisia: Monterrey, MX (Rayados Training Centre)
Türkiye: Mesa, AZ (Arizona Athletic Grounds)
Uruguay: Cancun, MX (Mayakoba Training Centre Cancun)
United States: Irvine (Great Park Sports Complex)
Uzbekistan: Atlanta (Atlanta United Training Centre)

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FIFA Toasts World Cup Triumph as Tournament Draws to Close

Egypt's Mohamed Salah and teammates celebrate after Hossam Abdelmaguid scored the penalty past Australia's Mathew Ryan to win the shootout and advance to the Round of 16 of the World Cup. (Reuters)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah and teammates celebrate after Hossam Abdelmaguid scored the penalty past Australia's Mathew Ryan to win the shootout and advance to the Round of 16 of the World Cup. (Reuters)
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FIFA Toasts World Cup Triumph as Tournament Draws to Close

Egypt's Mohamed Salah and teammates celebrate after Hossam Abdelmaguid scored the penalty past Australia's Mathew Ryan to win the shootout and advance to the Round of 16 of the World Cup. (Reuters)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah and teammates celebrate after Hossam Abdelmaguid scored the penalty past Australia's Mathew Ryan to win the shootout and advance to the Round of 16 of the World Cup. (Reuters)

It was supposed to be the World Cup weighed down by problems: sky-high prices, geopolitical tension, the shadow of conflict and the threat of brutal summer heat across the three host nations.

Instead, the biggest, most complex edition of football's showpiece ever staged will be remembered for simpler reasons: thrilling football and a feel-good factor that swept across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

With only Sunday's final between defending champions Argentina and Spain remaining, world governing body FIFA can already claim the tournament as a triumph.

Pre-tournament fears that the expansion to 48 teams -- among them a clutch of tiny debutants -- would lead to a dilution of quality proved unfounded.

Instead, the World Cup delivered its usual intoxicating cocktail of drama and footballing brilliance that swept away any lingering anxiety.

The Atlantic archipelago of Cape Verde held eventual finalists Spain to a shock goalless draw in their opening game, and would go on to rattle Lionel Messi's Argentina in the last 32 before losing 3-2 in extra-time.

Curacao, population 185,000, would earn a 0-0 draw with Ecuador.

Egypt reached the knockout rounds for the first time and came within a whisker of a stunning upset of Argentina, leading 2-0 with 11 minutes to go before eventually succumbing to Messi's magic.

The Egyptians and Cape Verde were among a record nine African teams who reached the knockout rounds, signaling the continent's continuing rise.

Fans of Norway perform the "Viking row" celebration as they gather at Miami Beach in Miami, Florida, USA, 10 July 2026. (EPA)

- Stars shine brightest -

At the other end of the football spectrum, the biggest stars all joined the party.

Messi, playing in his record sixth World Cup, announced his entrance with a dazzling hat-trick to open Argentina's campaign against Algeria.

With Sunday's final still to play, Messi is on eight goals, two behind tournament top-scorer Kylian Mbappe, the France captain, on 10.

Mbappe's tally leaves him on top of the all-time World Cup scoring charts with 22.

Norway's towering striker Erling Haaland rapidly emerged as a fan favorite, scoring seven goals including two in an upset of mighty Brazil in the last 16.

England's Jude Bellingham plundered seven goals while Harry Kane added six as the Three Lions finished in third place.

The three host nations -- Canada, Mexico and the United States -- all reached the last 16 before bowing out.

With 307 goals scored through 103 matches at an average of 2.98 goals per game, the 2026 tournament is the highest-scoring World Cup since the 1958 finals in Sweden, which averaged 3.6 goals per game.

- Packed houses -

The spellbinding drama played out before mostly packed houses -- albeit with a hefty price tag.

FIFA's decision to use "dynamic pricing" to determine ticket prices had been slammed by supporters' groups as a "monumental betrayal" before the tournament kicked off.

Yet when push came to shove, it did not deter fans from shelling out thousands of dollars for a piece of the action.

According to FIFA figures released before Saturday's third-place playoff won by England, the tournament attracted 6,665,825 spectators -- more than the combined total of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

Average attendance stands at 65,351 per match, with a stadium occupancy rate of 99.7%.

The revelry stretched far beyond the stadiums.

From Scotland's Tartan Army drinking bars dry in Boston to Norway's fans performing their signature "Viking row" en masse in Times Square, host cities were transformed into raucous, freewheeling carnival grounds.

In the United States, where the bulk of the tournament's 104 matches took place, overseas visitors took to social media to express their delight at aspects of Americana, whether it be cavernous supermarkets, oversized BBQ ribs or ranch dressing.

"The 2026 World Cup has become a global love fest for the US -- at a time when the rest of the world has plenty of reasons to dislike us," one baffled US commentator remarked.

Cape Verde players and staff celebrate after a match as Cape Verde qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup in Houston Stadium, Houston, Texas, US, June 26, 2026. (Reuters)

- Trump controversy -

But while the exceptional quality of the football and the enthusiastic embrace of fans were the main takeaways, controversies did cast a shadow over parts of the tournament.

Somali referee Omar Artan became arguably the highest-profile casualty of President Donald Trump's hardline immigration crackdown, when he was denied entry to the United States.

US officials cited "vetting concerns" for the refusal to allow the official into the country.

Iran's squad were also made to suffer because of US government policies.

After relocating their base camp from Arizona to Mexico, Iranian players and team officials were angered by visa restrictions which left them scrambling to exit the US within hours of their games ending.

"I think we are the most oppressed team in the World Cup," Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei remarked bitterly after his team's opening game.

The most astonishing controversy though would involve hosts the United States, when it emerged that Trump had intervened personally with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino in order to have a one-game suspension against US striker Folarin Balogun delayed ahead of their knockout round clash with Belgium.

The extraordinary saga turned many neutrals against the hosts, and there was widespread jubilation when Belgium went on to record a thumping 4-1 victory.

While the scandal came as an embarrassment to FIFA chief Infantino, it is unlikely to jeopardize his chances of winning another term.

The powerful Asian, African and South American regional confederations have already pledged support for his re-election in 2027.

And Infantino is expected to use the success of the tournament as a mandate for further expansion, with the possibility of the 2030 finals becoming a 64-team tournament up for discussion.

Sports

Departing Deschamps Looks Back on ‘Wonderful’ World Cup

18 July 2026, US, Miami: France manager Didier Deschamps walks on the pitch ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup bronze final match between France and England at the Miami Stadium. (dpa)
18 July 2026, US, Miami: France manager Didier Deschamps walks on the pitch ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup bronze final match between France and England at the Miami Stadium. (dpa)
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Departing Deschamps Looks Back on ‘Wonderful’ World Cup

18 July 2026, US, Miami: France manager Didier Deschamps walks on the pitch ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup bronze final match between France and England at the Miami Stadium. (dpa)
18 July 2026, US, Miami: France manager Didier Deschamps walks on the pitch ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup bronze final match between France and England at the Miami Stadium. (dpa)

France coach Didier Deschamps said he had experienced a "truly wonderful adventure" with his players as he bid farewell to the job on Saturday after 14 highly successful years in charge.

Deschamps guided France to World Cup glory in Moscow in 2018, becoming one of only three men to have won it as both coach and player.

He led Les Bleus back to the final in Doha in 2022, where they lost to Argentina in a penalty shootout.

Despite starting the 2026 tournament in North America impressively, France suffered a bitter 2-0 defeat by Spain in the semi-finals.

After a chaotic third-place playoff loss to England on Saturday, during which they were 4-0 down at half-time, but brought the score back to 6-4 at the end, Deschamps reflected that he had had a "beautiful" tournament with his players and staff.

"On a human level, it was a truly wonderful adventure with them," he said.

"The eight weeks we've spent together since the start of the preparations were beautiful."

On a sporting level, he acknowledged the "disappointment" for a squad that "set out with a great deal of ambition" but came up short.

"We managed to do quite a lot of positive things. We failed in our match against Spain, and they were able to perform at a very high level against us," he said.

As the 57-year-old prepares to hand over the reins -- almost certainly to French legend Zinedine Zidane -- Deschamps said he was certain the future was bright.

"There are quite a few young players who will continue to develop, and there's the talent to keep achieving very good results," he said.

Sports

Tuchel Hopes England Players Will Look Back on World Cup with Pride

England head coach Thomas Tuchel smiles during the medal ceremony during the World Cup third-place playoff match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP)
England head coach Thomas Tuchel smiles during the medal ceremony during the World Cup third-place playoff match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP)
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Tuchel Hopes England Players Will Look Back on World Cup with Pride

England head coach Thomas Tuchel smiles during the medal ceremony during the World Cup third-place playoff match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP)
England head coach Thomas Tuchel smiles during the medal ceremony during the World Cup third-place playoff match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP)

England manager Thomas Tuchel said he ‌hoped his players would one day look back on finishing third at the World Cup with some pride, despite falling short of their goal of winning the tournament.

A 6-4 win over France in a frenetic third-place playoff at Miami Stadium on Saturday gave England their best finish at a World Cup since their only triumph when they hosted the tournament in 1966.

"It's the first medal for 60 years, the best World Cup on foreign soil. So I hope that the players can be proud of that in some time," he told reporters.

"We are fiercely competitive, so like we almost ‌don't allow ourselves ‌to be proud of the third place because ‌18 ⁠months ago we ⁠set ourselves the highest goal ... to make it to the final and win the World Cup.

"So it's very, very painful if you miss out. The pain will stay for a while."

Tuchel came in for heavy flak after England lost 2-1 to Argentina in the semi-finals on Wednesday, particularly because of what were viewed as his defensive tactics after his side took the ⁠lead early in the second half.

"The press conference yesterday ‌felt as if we went out in ‌the group stage without a win, to be very honest," the German said.

"The best ‌thing you can do is react on the pitch and get ‌the next win. Everything else is just talking, and talking doesn't get you points, and talking doesn't get you a win.

"I'm glad that we showed a reaction. We wanted that reaction, and it's very impressive."

Bukayo Saka's hat-trick for England on ‌Saturday inevitably raised a question about why the right winger was not played in the semi-final.

"It was a ⁠tough decision for ⁠me to leave him out of the semi-final," said Tuchel, who admitted he had been cautious with Saka because of the Achilles injury he had been managing for the last few months.

"I had the feeling that Morgan Rogers had something special to give to us with his physicality and his body in the match against Argentina.

"We had (Saka) warm up several times against Argentina. We were ready to change, but the game became so crazy that we in the end opted for a different option.

"But nothing has changed during the World Cup for me. Bukayo is a fantastic teammate, fantastic football player, key player for us, and that will not change. He showed it again today and I'm happy for him."