Every 2026 World Cup team picks a base camp — a city + training facility + hotel where they live for the duration of the tournament. With 48 teams across 3 host countries, base camps are the lifeblood of WC tourism. Here's how it works.
How base camps work
Each team's base camp must:
- Be in or near the country where the team plays its group-stage matches
- Include a training pitch meeting FIFA standards
- Have hotel infrastructure for 70-100 staff (players, coaches, medics, security)
- Provide privacy (high walls, security)
- Be accessible to host venues (drive or flight)
How teams choose
Teams send scouts in 2024-2025 to evaluate options. Considerations:
- Climate similarity to home country (avoid altitude/heat shock)
- Diaspora support — strong fan community nearby = home-like atmosphere
- Hotel quality — 5-star facilities with private wings
- Past WC base history (e.g., a hotel that hosted Brazil 2014 likely wants to host 2026)
- Cost — base camps cost teams $3-8M for the duration
Notable base camps announced (as of June 2026)
FIFA published the official base camp catalogue in early 2026. Teams reveal their choices in phases:
- Argentina: Likely Miami (Inter Miami training facility — Messi already trains there)
- France: Reportedly chose a private resort in upstate New York for the group stage
- Brazil: Florida-based, leveraging the 360,000-strong Brazilian community in the state
- USMNT: Bases vary by group, likely centered in the Mid-Atlantic (NJ/PA)
- England: Boston area (logistical advantage near MetLife)
Base camps as fan destinations
Fans often travel to base camp cities to:
- Watch training sessions (some are open to public, with restrictions)
- Get autographs at team hotels
- Soak up the local fan atmosphere (especially diaspora communities)
- Find cheaper accommodation than host venue cities
The 1994 precedent
USA 1994 was the first US World Cup. Brazil based in Cal State Los Angeles, Italy in Boston, Germany in Chicago. Those bases became local pilgrimage sites — and set the template for 2026.
Learn the 50 states by playing
Statedoku uses "Hosts a WC 2026 base camp" as a constraint in its daily puzzle.
Play today's puzzle →Frequently asked questions
What is a World Cup base camp?
A team's training and accommodation base for the duration of the tournament. It includes a training pitch, hotel, and security infrastructure.
Where will Argentina train?
Likely Miami, based on reported scouting visits and proximity to Inter Miami CF's training facility (where Messi already trains).
Can fans visit base camps?
Some teams open training sessions to the public on certain days. Most have a public observation period at the start of camp and again before key matches.
How much does a base camp cost?
$3-8 million per team for the tournament, paid for by national federations. Costs include hotel rental, training facility fees, security, and local transport.