The unveiling of FIFA World Cup 2026 Team Base Camps has revealed not only where nations will live and train during the tournament, but also the complex logistical and political planning shaping the biggest World Cup in history.
One of the most notable developments involved Iran, who shifted their base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, after FIFA approved a late request tied to visa and travel concerns. Reuters reported that Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj said the move would simplify logistics and reduce potential entry complications into the United States.
Iran will now train at Centro Xoloitzcuintle in Tijuana, just a short flight from Los Angeles, where two of their group-stage matches will be played. Taj said FIFA had been asked to provide guarantees regarding visas, security and treatment of the Iranian delegation before the relocation was finalized.
Elsewhere, England, Argentina and Netherlands all selected Kansas City as their operational hub, turning the Midwest city into one of the tournament’s busiest football centers.
Brazil chose the New York/New Jersey region, close to MetLife Stadium, which will host the 2026 World Cup final. Meanwhile, Portugal opted for Palm Beach Gardens in Florida, while Germany selected Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
The base camp programme has become one of FIFA’s most important operational projects because teams spend most of the group stage living at these sites rather than continuously traveling between host cities. FIFA said the camps serve as each nation’s “home away from home” during the tournament.
The 2026 World Cup will stretch across 16 host cities in three countries and cover multiple climate zones and time zones, making travel management a major competitive factor. FIFA divided the tournament into eastern, central and western geographic regions to help teams reduce fatigue.
Some nations prioritized familiarity with local conditions. Japan selected Nashville, Saudi Arabia chose Austin, and Uruguay established camp in Cancún, combining warm-weather preparation with direct travel access to match venues.
Canada and Panama became the only two nations to establish official bases in Canada, while Mexico-based camps were selected by Colombia, South Korea, Tunisia, Uruguay, South Africa and Iran.
FIFA began building the Team Base Camp catalogue in 2024 before gradually expanding the list throughout 2025. More than 60 elite facilities across North America were inspected and approved before teams finalized their selections after the World Cup draw.
The tournament itself is set to become the largest sporting event ever staged in North America, featuring 48 nations, 104 matches and millions of traveling supporters across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
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