The Three Lions Search for FIFA 2026 Bases Amid Fears of Missing Out On First-Choice Site to Netherlands.
The FA has sent officials to the United States this week to look at potential bases for the forthcoming tournament, amid increasing concerns that their top-pick location could be allocated by the Dutch national team.
Tournament Draw Complications Change Preparations
Head coach Thomas Tuchel had previously cleared an FA strategy for England to set up camp in Kansas following a warm-up training period in Fort Lauderdale. But, following the recent group stage draw, there are now concerns that the Netherlands, who play their group stage matches in Kansas, will be given first refusal on the desired facility at Sporting Kansas City—a state-of-the-art centre operated by US Soccer.
The world governing body allocates training camps based on geography and FIFA rankings if there is competition, with the draw possibly placing the FA in competition with the Netherlands and Argentina for sites in the tournament's south-central region.
Exploring Other Sites
Given England's group stage matches scheduled to take place in Dallas, Boston, and New Jersey, the FA is now reportedly exploring alternative options on the east coast. The FA started its search for training bases at the beginning of the year, with Tuchel and technical director John McDermott visiting potential sites during the Club World Cup last summer.
In spite of this advanced planning, there was always an acceptance that the official tournament draw could drastically change their logistical arrangements.
Knockout Stage Travel Strategy
The Three Lions face the eighth most demanding group stage schedule in terms of mileage. Winning Group L would set England on course for a round of 32 game in Atlanta, then a possible last-16 match in Mexico City.
- Significant Change: The FA may opt to choose to travel from match to match for the later rounds if England qualify, a significant departure from its standard practice of having a single tournament base.
- Tournament Organizers Recommendation: FIFA is believed to be actively encouraging such a itinerant approach for the vast 2026 tournament.
Once the base camp is finalized, the FA will turn its attention to organizing two warm-up matches in Florida at the beginning of June.
