The largest World Cup in history is taking shape across the continent. All 48 participating nations have been assigned Team Base Camp locations spanning the US, Mexico, and Canada, turning dozens of communities into temporary homes for the world’s best soccer squads ahead of the tournament’s mid-June kickoff.
Of those 48 teams, 39 will be based somewhere in the US, 7 in Mexico, and 2 in Canada. FIFA finalized these TBC sites between May 25 and June 1, covering 25 communities beyond the designated host cities where actual matches will be played.
A logistical puzzle across three nations
The scale of this operation is unprecedented. Previous World Cups were hosted by a single country, or at most two (as with Japan and South Korea in 2002). Spreading 48 squads across three nations introduces layers of complexity in travel logistics, time zones, altitude differences, and facility standards that organizers have never had to manage simultaneously.
High-performance training centers are being pressed into service across the continent. Argentina, for example, will reportedly use the Sporting KC Training Center as their base, giving them access to professional-grade facilities while they prepare for group stage matches.
