The Three Lions Scout for World Cup Training Facilities Amidst Concerns of Missing Out On Preferred Site to Netherlands.
England's football governing body has sent scouts to the US this week to look at potential bases for the upcoming World Cup, amidst increasing worries that their top-pick base could be taken by the Dutch national team.
Draw Complications Alter Preparations
Manager Thomas Tuchel had previously cleared an FA strategy for England to locate in Kansas following a pre-tournament training period in Fort Lauderdale. But, after last week's group stage draw, there are now fears that the Netherlands, who have their group games in Kansas, will be given priority on the desired facility at Sporting Kansas City—a high-performance centre used by US Soccer.
FIFA assigns training camps according to geographic location and world 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.
Exploring Alternative Locations
Given England's group fixtures set to take place in Dallas, Boston, and New Jersey, the FA is now understood to be investigating other locations on the US East Coast. The FA began its scouting process for training camps at the start of the year, with Tuchel and director of football John McDermott visiting possible sites during the Club World Cup last summer.
Despite this advanced planning, there was always an understanding that the final tournament draw could significantly alter their logistical arrangements.
Knockout Stage Logistics Plans
England face the eighth most demanding group stage schedule in terms of mileage. Winning Group L would set England on course for a round of 32 game in Atlanta, then a possible round of 16 match in Mexico City.
- Significant Change: The FA may opt to choose to move between venues for the later rounds should England progress, a major departure from its standard practice of maintaining a fixed tournament base.
- FIFA Recommendation: FIFA is understood to be actively encouraging such a itinerant approach for the vast 2026 tournament.
Once the training base is confirmed, the FA will focus on arranging two pre-tournament matches in Florida at the start of June.
