The Three Lions Explore for FIFA 2026 Training Facilities Amidst Concerns of Losing Preferred Location to Netherlands.
England's football governing body has dispatched officials to the US this week to inspect potential bases for the forthcoming tournament, amidst growing worries that their first-choice location could be allocated by the Dutch national team.
Tournament Draw Complexities Change Preparations
Head coach Thomas Tuchel had earlier cleared an FA strategy for England to be based in Kansas after a warm-up training period in Fort Lauderdale. Yet, after the recent group stage draw, there are now fears that the Netherlands, who play their group stage matches in Kansas, will be awarded first refusal on the chosen facility at Sporting Kansas City—a state-of-the-art centre operated by US Soccer.
The world governing body allocates training bases based on geography and FIFA rankings if there is a dispute, with the draw potentially placing the FA in competition with the Netherlands and Argentina for sites in the tournament's south-central region.
Exploring Other Locations
Given England's group stage matches set to take place in Dallas, Boston, and New Jersey, the FA is now understood to be looking at alternative options on the US East Coast. The association started its scouting process for training bases at the start of the year, with Tuchel and director of football John McDermott touring possible sites during the Club World Cup last summer.
In spite of this early planning, there was always an acceptance that the final tournament draw could significantly alter their logistical arrangements.
Later Round Travel Strategy
England have the eighth most arduous group stage draw in terms of travel. Winning Group L would put England on track for a last-32 game in Atlanta, then a potential last-16 match in Mexico City.
- Major Departure: The FA may decide to move between venues for the knockout stages should England progress, a significant shift from its standard practice of maintaining a single tournament base.
- FIFA Encouragement: FIFA is understood to be actively encouraging such a itinerant approach for the vast 2026 tournament.
After the base camp is finalized, the FA will focus on scheduling two friendly matches in Florida at the start of June.
