USMNT Selects Irvine, CA as 2026 World Cup Training Headquarters

The United States men's national soccer team has announced that they will base themselves in Irvine, California for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, utilizing the state-of-the-art facilities at Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium as their training grounds. This decision marks a return to Southern California for the USMNT, as they also trained in the region during the 1994 World Cup held in the United States.

Irvine, a city in Orange County known for its thriving technology and business sectors, will provide the perfect environment for the US squad to prepare for the global tournament. The Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium, built in 2017, will serve as the team's everyday training home, offering world-class amenities and a dedicated pitch for the players to hone their skills.

"We are delighted to have Great Park as our training site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup," said US Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker in a statement. "The facilities are simply outstanding and will provide the perfect training environment for our team to prepare to be successful at the World Cup."

The decision to base the USMNT in Irvine echoes the team's training location during the 1994 World Cup, also held in the United States. Back then, the squad trained at the University of California, Irvine, just a few miles away from the new Great Park facility.

"Hosting the USMNT during the 2026 World Cup is a tremendous honor for Irvine," said Irvine Mayor Larry Agran in his State of the City address. "Our city's world-class sports facilities and vibrant community will provide the perfect setting for the team to prepare for the tournament."

The US team will open their 2026 World Cup campaign on June 12 against Paraguay. With the home crowd behind them and the optimal training conditions at Great Park, the USMNT will be well-equipped to make a deep run in the tournament and potentially lift the trophy on home soil.