England's national team is reportedly planning to establish its base camp in Kansas City for the 2026 World Cup, with Swope Soccer Village as the likely location. The Football Association (FA) has formally requested FIFA to designate the state-of-the-art Swope facility in Missouri as their primary training base for the tournament. While FIFA is yet to officially confirm the base camps for participating nations, it is highly anticipated that England will be allocated their preferred location.
Swope Soccer Village has been nominated as England's first-choice daily training base. The FA intends to personalize Swope Soccer Village to create a "home away from home" environment for the players.
Kansas City is expected to host a total of four teams for the 2026 World Cup. Argentina will be based at Compass Minerals National Performance Center, the training facility for Sporting Kansas City, located in Kansas City, Kansas. The Netherlands will use the Kansas City Current's facilities in Riverside, Missouri, and Algeria is expected to set up camp at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, Kansas.
Securing England as one of the teams based in Kansas City is a significant achievement for the region. While the financial details of England establishing a base in Kansas City have not been officially disclosed, reports suggest an investment of approximately $21 million. The presence of these national teams is expected to generate substantial economic benefits for the city and surrounding areas, as fans often prefer to stay where their team is based. This influx of visitors will likely lead to increased tourism, hospitality revenue, and overall economic activity.
However, some local voices have expressed concerns about Kansas City's readiness to host an event of this magnitude. Concerns have been raised regarding potential overcrowding and strains on local infrastructure. Conversely, others are confident that Kansas City will manage the event successfully, citing ongoing updates and preparations for the World Cup.
Originally, there were concerns that the Netherlands might be given priority for the Sporting Kansas City facility due to their group fixtures being held in Kansas City and Texas. FIFA typically allocates training camps based on geographical proximity and world rankings when there is competition. England's group games are scheduled to take place in Dallas, Boston, and New Jersey. Despite these initial concerns, England seems to have secured their preferred location at Swope Soccer Village.
