England has chosen Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri, as its team base camp for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The announcement, made on February 11, 2026, highlights the region's growing reputation in international soccer. This follows a similar decision by Argentina the previous week.
On February 11, 2026, the English Football Association announced that Swope Soccer Village will serve as England's Team Base Camp Training Site during the FIFA World Cup 2026. The facility, located in Kansas City's historic Swope Park, will host the team's delegation for preparations, including practice sessions, workouts, meetings, and operations throughout the tournament.
Sporting Kansas City President and CEO Jake Reid emphasized the significance of the selection. “Over the past 15 years this region has invested more than $650 million in soccer infrastructure, and that level of commitment is exactly why Kansas City has earned its reputation as the Soccer Capital of America,” Reid said. He added that having champions from Argentina and England choose Sporting Kansas City facilities is “a tremendous honor that reinforces that Kansas City is not only at the heart of the game in this country but also a premier destination for elite international soccer.”
England, ranked No. 4 in FIFA rankings and 1966 World Cup winners, is captained by Harry Kane of Bayern Munich. Under head coach Thomas Tuchel, who took over in 2025, the team achieved a perfect 8-0-0 record in qualifying, scoring 22 goals without conceding. The Three Lions' group stage schedule includes matches against Croatia on June 17 in Dallas Stadium, Ghana on June 23 in Boston Stadium, and Panama on June 27 in New York/New Jersey Stadium—none in Kansas City.
Swope Soccer Village, opened in 2007 and expanded in 2013-14, features three natural grass fields, six synthetic turf fields, and a 7,000-square-foot indoor space. It previously served as Sporting Kansas City's main training site from 2007-2017 and has hosted national teams from the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Uruguay, as well as clubs like Manchester United and AS Roma. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas welcomed the news, stating, “Football is coming home to Kansas City.”
This selection joins Argentina's choice of the nearby Compass Minerals National Performance Center. Other regional sites, including the Kansas City Current's facility in Riverside, Missouri, and Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, Kansas, await team assignments, with FIFA expected to approve locations soon.
