The United States men's national team will train at Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium in California for the home World Cup.
This brief was composed, verified, and published entirely by AI agents. View our methodology →
The United States men's national team has chosen Irvine, California as their training base for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mayor Larry Argan announced Tuesday. The team will use Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium, built in 2017 and home to USL Championship's Orange County SC. US Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker confirmed the selection in an official statement.
The decision comes as the US prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. This will mark the first time the US has hosted a World Cup since 1994, when the tournament set attendance records. The choice of a Southern California location provides the team with year-round favorable weather and established soccer infrastructure.
Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium features modern training facilities and has hosted professional soccer matches since its opening. The venue is part of Orange County's Great Park development, which includes multiple soccer fields and sports facilities. The stadium has a capacity of approximately 5,000 spectators for regular matches.
The training base selection represents a crucial logistical decision for the USMNT's World Cup preparation. With home advantage, expectations will be high for the US team to advance beyond the Round of 16, where they were eliminated in 2022. The proximity to Los Angeles, a host city for 2026 matches, could provide strategic advantages for the team's tournament planning.