The home of the Sounders may now officially become the home for a country during the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
FIFA announced an updated list of potential base camps for countries participating in the World Cup on Thursday that included the Sounders new training center at the former Longacres site in Renton.
Adding the Sounders training center is an announcement that’s long been expected and was probably amplified by the visit last month from FIFA President Gianni Infantino to the area that also included a reception and tour of the facility.
Seattle is set to host six matches during the tournament beginning in June 2026 – four in the group stage, one in the round of 32 and one in the round of 16. But cities can often serve as both host venues and base camps for various countries. For example, during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the city of Sochi hosted matches while also being the base camp for Brazil and Poland at a couple of venues around the area.
The Sounders facility was one of 26 new options added by FIFA that also included a couple of other potential sites in the Pacific Northwest.
Across the state, Gonzaga University in Spokane is listed as a possible base camp. The Bulldogs’ Luger Field is a grass soccer stadium on the bank of the Spokane River. Another site in the region listed was Boise State University where the Broncos play at the Boas Soccer Complex.
Any of the three Pacific Northwest locations would seem likely options for a country that ends up with the majority of its group stage games on the West Coast.
Other cities are expected to be added as potential base camps for the 48 participating countries throughout 2025. Portland is not currently listed as a possible base camp but would seem a likely candidate with a few options in the area.
The final decisions on what cities each country will call home for the tournament are expected a little over a year from now, shortly after the draw. The draw to set the groups and schedule for the tournament is expected to take place in December 2025.
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