March 12 – The U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) will be based in one of soccer’s most vibrant markets in the country, Southern California, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
U.S. Soccer has chosen Irvine to host the national side, the same place the 1994 team was based during the last World Cup played on American soil.
At the centre of that plan is Great Park in Irvine, Orange County, which will serve as the team’s training base.
“We are delighted to have Great Park as our training site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said. “The facilities are simply outstanding and will provide the perfect training environment for our team to prepare to be successful at the World Cup.”
Constructed in 2017 on the former site of the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium accommodates more than 5,000 spectators. The wider park has 24 soccer fields and is widely considered to be one of the best soccer facilities in the country.
According to a U.S. Soccer spokesperson, the setup at Great Park mirrors the training environment the USMNT experienced during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
While training sessions during the tournament will not be open to the public, the team’s presence will still place Irvine firmly on the World Cup map.
“We are honoured that the U.S. Men’s National Team has chosen to train at the Great Park during the FIFA World Cup,” said Mayor Larry Agran. “This decision reflects the calibre of the Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium and the professionalism of the staff who operate it.
“Irvine is proud to welcome the players, coaches, and supporters from around the world to our great city for one of the world’s most celebrated sporting events.”
Beyond the training field, U.S. Soccer is also using the opportunity to invest in the local game. The Soccer Forward Foundation, U.S. Soccer’s legacy and social impact initiative connected to the World Cup, will partner with the City of Irvine and local organisations, including Cal South, the State Soccer Association, to deliver community-based coaching development programming during the month of April.
The initiative is designed to equip local coaches with training, tools, and resources to better support young players in their communities.
“Moments like this create an incredible opportunity to connect the world’s biggest sporting event with the communities that make the game special,” said Lex Chalat, executive director of the Soccer Forward Foundation.
“Through Soccer Forward, we are proud to partner with the City of Irvine and local organizations to equip coaches with the tools, training, and support they need to positively impact young people. By investing in the leaders who bring the game to life in their communities, we can ensure the momentum of the World Cup creates lasting opportunities for the next generation.”
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at [email protected]