FIFA World Cup 2026: USA unveils training base, practice sessions take place behind closed doors

The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) will set up its World Cup training base this summer at the Great Park Sports Complex in Irvine, California, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced Tuesday.

The Irvine location is less than 50 miles from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, where the USMNT will play two of its three group stage matches. The other match will be played in Seattle.

Should the US win the group, the first match in the knockout stages would be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Great Park features 24 soccer fields, including a stadium with more than 5,000 seats, home to Orange County SC, a soccer team in the USL Championship. The USMNT ⁠trains at the stadium and all practices are played behind closed doors.

U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker said in a statement: “We are excited to have Great Park as our training venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“The facilities are simply excellent and will provide the perfect training environment for our team to prepare to be successful at the World Cup.”

Irvine Mayor Larry Agran said in a statement: «We are honored that the U.S. Men’s National Team has chosen to train at the Great Park during the FIFA World Cup. This decision reflects the caliber of the Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium and the professionalism of the staff that operates it.

Irvine is proud to welcome players, coaches and supporters from around the world to our great city for one of the most celebrated sporting events in the world.”

The USMNT has four friendlies scheduled ahead of the World Cup: March 28 against Belgium and March 31 against Portugal, both in Atlanta; May 31 vs. Senegal in Charlotte; and June 6 vs. Germany in Chicago.

The US opens World Cup action in Group D against Paraguay on June 12 in Inglewood before facing Australia on June 19 in Seattle. The USMNT’s final group match, on June 25 in Inglewood, will take place against the winner of a UEFA play-off, Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkey or Romania.

Published on March 11, 2026