SWX Local Sports Digital Director
SPOKANE, Wash. — The FIFA World Cup is coming to North America in June 2026, with 11 U.S. cities hosting matches. On Thursday, FIFA announced that Spokane is listed as a potential Team Base Camp for participating teams.
Team Base Camps serve as “homes away from home” during the tournament, providing teams with facilities to train, rest, and prepare for their matches, according to FIFA.
If Spokane is selected, the training facility would be at Gonzaga University, while the paired hotel would be determined later.
“Spokane has earned its reputation as a premier destination for sporting events, consistently delivering exceptional experiences for athletes, teams, and fans alike,” said Ashley Blake, CEO of Spokane Sports. “As an experienced host city, we are ready to provide a world-class welcome to any FIFA World Cup 2026 team that selects Spokane as its base camp. Our community’s passion for sports and hospitality ensures an unforgettable experience, both on and off the field.”
Thayne McCulloh, president of Gonzaga University, echoed the excitement.
“We are incredibly honored that Gonzaga University has been selected as a proposed team base camp for FIFA World Cup 2026,” McCulloh said. “We look forward to providing world-class facilities and a supportive environment for the teams, contributing to the success of this prestigious global event. Hosting teams from around the world will not only enhance our campus but also unite our community in the spirit of international sportsmanship.”
The updated brochure includes 26 new options in U.S. cities such as Spokane, Boise, Colorado Springs, Columbus, Greensboro, Orlando, Tampa, and Tucson, as well as Pachuca, Mexico. This expansion offers a wider range of facilities across the tournament’s footprint. Host cities including Houston and New York/New Jersey have also added new potential sites, further broadening the options for national teams.
While the World Cup is traditionally hosted by a single country, 2026 will mark the first time three nations—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—share hosting duties.
Teams will finalize their Team Base Camp selections after the FIFA World Cup 26 Final Draw, expected in December 2025. The draw will determine the geographic zones for group-stage matches, helping teams choose their base camp locations.
FIFA plans to continue expanding the list of base camp options through 2025, with additional sites in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
For more information and the full list of potential base camps, click here.
This story includes contributions from Inside FIFA.
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SWX Local Sports Digital Director
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