The Three Lions Search for World Cup Bases Amidst Fears of Losing Preferred Site to Netherlands.
The Football Association has dispatched scouts to the United States this week to look at potential training camps for the forthcoming tournament, amidst growing apprehensions that their preferred site could be taken by the Netherlands.
Tournament Draw Complications Alter Preparations
Manager Thomas Tuchel had earlier cleared an FA plan for England to locate in Kansas after a pre-tournament training camp in Fort Lauderdale. But, after last week's group stage draw, there are now fears that the Netherlands, who play their group stage matches in Kansas, will be given first choice on the desired facility at Sporting Kansas City—a high-performance centre used by US Soccer.
The world governing body allocates training camps based on geography and FIFA rankings if there is a dispute, with the draw potentially pitting the FA in competition with the Netherlands and Argentina for bases in the tournament's central region.
Considering Alternative Options
With England's group fixtures set to take place in Dallas, Boston, and New Jersey, the FA is now reportedly looking at other options on the eastern seaboard. The FA started its scouting process for training camps at the beginning of the year, with Tuchel and technical director John McDermott visiting possible locations during the Club World Cup last summer.
Despite this early planning, there was always an acceptance that the official tournament draw could significantly alter their plans.
Later Round Logistics Plans
England have the eighth most arduous group stage draw in terms of mileage. Winning Group L would put England on track for a last-32 game in Atlanta, then a potential last-16 tie in Mexico City.
- Significant Departure: The FA may decide to travel from match to match for the knockout stages if England progress, a significant departure from its usual practice of having a fixed tournament base.
- FIFA Encouragement: FIFA is believed to be actively encouraging such a itinerant strategy for the vast 2026 tournament.
Once the base camp is confirmed, the FA will turn its attention to organizing two pre-tournament matches in Florida at the beginning of June.
