England are gearing up for World Cup 2026, and it looks like they've found their home away from home. The Three Lions have requested the Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri as their base for the tournament. It's a smart choice – the facility is absolutely top-notch.
The Football Association has submitted their request to FIFA, and insiders suggest they're very likely to get exactly what they want. FIFA won't officially rubber-stamp the training facilities until early February, but all signs point to England getting their first choice.
Now here's where it gets interesting for those following England's tournament journey. The team won't be staying put throughout the group stage. Instead, they'll be doing quite a bit of traveling across America.
England's Group Stage Travel Schedule
Thomas Tuchel's squad will face Croatia in Arlington, Texas, then take on Ghana in Foxborough near Boston, before wrapping up the group stage against Panama in East Rutherford, New Jersey. That's a lot of miles on the clock. After each match, the team will head back to their Kansas City base.
For punters keeping an eye on England's prospects, this travel schedule could be a factor worth considering. Long-distance flights between games might affect player fatigue, especially compared to teams with more convenient group stage locations. It's something that could influence performance levels, particularly in that crucial third group match.
What Happens After the Group Stage?
If England advance to the knockout rounds – and let's be honest, they should with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama in their group – they might switch things up. The FA is considering a more flexible approach for the elimination stages.
Rather than flying back to Missouri after every knockout game, England might set up temporary bases closer to wherever their matches are being played. It's a sensible strategy that could help minimize travel fatigue when the stakes are highest.
Before any of this kicks off, England will hold their pre-tournament training camp in sunny Florida. They'll play two warm-up matches there before heading to Kansas City for the main event. It's all about getting the preparation spot-on for what could be a long tournament run.
