World's Best Football Stars Set to Touch Down in Communities Across the USA
Get ready, America!
The 32 elite football clubs heading to the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup™ are packing their bags and preparing to settle into their home-away-from-home training bases across the United States in the coming days.
Imagine: world-class players and coaches, the absolute best in the game, setting up camp in 14 different states. From the sunny pitches of Florida to the Pacific Northwest, and everywhere in between, these top-notch training sites will be buzzing with activity as teams gear up for the group stage.
This isn't just about world-class football; it's about local pride and connection. Communities from coast to coast will have a unique front-row seat, getting the chance to rally behind these 32 elite teams competing in football's first truly global club tournament. The excitement of the Cup will ripple far beyond the stadiums hosting the 63 matches.
"These Team Base Camps are more than just fields and facilities," shared FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström. "They're about the welcoming spirit of the people and communities opening their doors to the world's best. We know they'll provide incredible environments and hospitality, becoming a real home base for these teams."
Grafström highlighted the special bonds that form: "Players, coaches, and fans will create unforgettable connections with the locals cheering them on. That community spirit is always a magical part of any World Cup, and we can't wait to see the stories that unfold during this historic event."
Where the World's Best Will Train: A Quick Look
Here’s where the 32 clubs will be calling home during the group stage:
- Al Ahly FC: Nova Southeastern University (Davie, FL) / The Pingry School (Basking Ridge, NJ)
- Al Ain FC: Episcopal High School (Alexandria, VA)
- Al Hilal: DC United Training Centre (Leesburg, VA) / Nashville SC Training Facility (Nashville, TN)
- Atlético de Madrid: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles, CA)
- Auckland City FC: Baylor School (Chattanooga, TN)
- Borussia Dortmund: Inter Miami CF Training Centre (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
- Botafogo: Westmont College (Santa Barbara, CA)
- CA Boca Juniors: Barry University (Miami Shores, FL)
- CA River Plate: Sounders FC Clubhouse and Training Facility (Renton, WA)
- CF Monterrey: Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles, CA)
- CF Pachuca: UNC Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)
- Chelsea FC: Philadelphia Union Training Facility (Chester, PA) / Nova Southeastern University (Davie, FL)
- CR Flamengo: Stockton University (Galloway, NJ) / Wide World of Sports Complex (Orlando, FL)
- Espérance de Tunisie: Oakland University (Oakland County, MI)
- FC Bayern München: Wide World of Sports Complex (Orlando, FL)
- FC Internazionale Milano: UCLA (Los Angeles, CA) / Seattle Seahawks Training Centre (Renton, WA)
- FC Porto: Rutgers University (Piscataway, NJ)
- FC Salzburg: Melanie Lane Training Ground (Whippany, NJ)
- Fluminense FC: University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC)
- Inter Miami CF: Inter Miami CF Training Centre (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
- Juventus FC: The Greenbrier Sports Training Centre (Greenbrier County, WV) / ChampionsGate (Orlando, FL)
- Los Angeles Football Club: Mercer University (Macon, GA)
- Mamelodi Sundowns FC: IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)
- Manchester City: Lynn University (Boca Raton, FL)
- Paris Saint-Germain: University of California Irvine (Irvine, CA)
- Real Madrid C.F.: Gardens North County District Park (Palm Beach Gardens, FL)
- Palmeiras: UNC Greensboro (Greensboro, NC)
- Seattle Sounders FC: Sounders FC Clubhouse and Training Facility (Renton, WA)
- SL Benfica: Waters Sportsplex (Tampa, FL)
- Ulsan HD: Charlotte FC (Charlotte, NC)
- Urawa Red Diamonds: University of Portland (Portland, OR)
- Wydad AC: Landon School (Bethesda, MD)
A Nationwide Football Celebration
The map of training bases truly shows the Cup's national reach:
Hotspots: Florida (9 clubs), California (5), New Jersey (4), North Carolina (3), Virginia (2), Tennessee (2), Washington (2).
Crucial Hubs: Plus, communities in Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and West Virginia will also play vital roles, providing elite training grounds for teams preparing for the global spotlight.
It's a significant nod to the growth of soccer in the US that six Major League Soccer (MLS) training centres – Charlotte FC, DC United, Inter Miami CF, Nashville SC, Philadelphia Union, and Seattle Sounders – will serve as Team Base Camps.
This is a real testament to the world-class facilities developed by MLS clubs.
As the tournament progresses, teams will also make use of dedicated "Venue Specific Training Sites" located near match stadiums, offering convenient hubs on match days and throughout the playoffs.