Guadalajara, Mexico — As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, the logistical blueprint for the tournament reveals that most of the 48 participating teams will establish their base camps in the United States, with only brief visits to Mexico for matches.
Mexico is one of three host nations alongside the United States and Canada, but not all teams playing in Mexico will reside there during the competition. Teams such as Spain, Japan, Sweden, Czech Republic, and Uzbekistan have matches scheduled in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, but will not stay in the country long-term.
FIFA has implemented a system of shared venues and geographic clusters to reduce travel distances and optimize player recovery. Under this model, around 40 teams will set up their main camps in the US, leveraging its extensive sports infrastructure, hotels, and air connectivity. The US becomes the tournament’s primary logistical hub, even for teams playing some matches in Mexico.
Federations with games in Mexico will operate under a “Transit Venue” model, traveling to the country only for official pre-match activities. Delegations will arrive on private charter flights 48 to 72 hours before each match, using designated facilities for light training, pitch reconnaissance, and media obligations. After the match, they will return almost immediately to their North American camps.
This marks a significant shift from previous World Cups, where teams often stayed in a single host country for weeks. The scale of the 2026 tournament has forced unprecedented logistical strategies to balance performance, rest, and mobility.
Team Bases in Mexico
Several teams have chosen to set up their World Cup bases within Mexico, taking advantage of local facilities and altitude conditions.
Guadalajara
- South Korea: Training at Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Verde Valle), staying at The Westin Guadalajara or Hard Rock Hotel.
- Colombia: Training at Academia AGA (Atlas FC) in Nextipac, staying at Grand Fiesta Americana Country Club.
Mexico City
- Mexico: Training and staying at the FMF High Performance Center (CAR) in the south of the city, which has undergone a high-tech renovation to eliminate external travel and leverage the 2,240-meter altitude advantage.
Playa del Carmen
- Uruguay: Training and staying at the Fairmont Mayakoba sports complex in the Riviera Maya, prioritizing mental isolation despite having matches in Miami and Guadalajara.
Monterrey
- Tunisia: Training at Rayados’ El Barrial training center in Santiago, Nuevo León, staying at InterContinental Presidente Monterrey or Westin Monterrey Valle.
Pachuca
- South Africa: Training at the Universidad del Futbol and Estadio Hidalgo, staying at Camino Real Pachuca. The team aims to acclimate to 2,400-meter altitude to counter Mexico’s home advantage in the opening match.
