International Football Leagues: Jordan, South Korea, Morocco and Netherlands

National teams qualifying for the 2026 World Cup are establishing their North American base camps to prepare for the tournament’s expanded 48-team format. According to DAZN News FR, Jordan has selected the University of Portland in Oregon, while Morocco will base at The Pingry School in New Jersey.

The selection of these sites is part of a massive logistical effort to house and train dozens of international squads across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The 2026 event marks the first time the tournament has grown to 48 teams, significantly increasing the demand for high-quality training pitches and secure accommodations.

Which teams have selected their 2026 World Cup base camps?

Several nations have already locked in their training locations. Reporting from DAZN News FR identifies a diverse range of facilities being used as headquarters for the competing squads.

Jordan will utilize the facilities at the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon. This choice places the team in the Pacific Northwest, providing access to collegiate-level sports infrastructure.

Morocco has opted for The Pingry School, located in New York and New Jersey. The use of a private school facility highlights the need for controlled, secure environments that can accommodate the privacy and security requirements of a national team.

The Netherlands is linked to the KC Current in Kansas City. The KC Current operates one of the most advanced dedicated soccer training facilities in the United States, offering professional-grade pitches and recovery technology.

Preliminary data also indicates South Korea is coordinating with Chivas, suggesting a presence in Mexico as part of the tournament’s tri-nation hosting structure.

How does the 48-team expansion affect tournament logistics?

The jump from 32 to 48 teams creates a significant shortage of elite training venues. Each team requires a “base camp” that includes not only a primary training pitch but also gym facilities, medical rooms, and secure lodging.

Because the 2026 tournament is spread across three countries, teams must strategically choose camps based on where their group-stage matches are scheduled. A team based in Oregon, like Jordan, faces a vastly different travel profile than a team based in New Jersey, like Morocco.

This geographic spread forces national federations to balance the quality of the training facility against the travel time to the stadiums. The reliance on a mix of professional clubs, universities, and private schools suggests that traditional professional stadiums alone cannot meet the volume of demand for 48 simultaneous training camps.

Why are universities and private schools being used as base camps?

The use of the University of Portland and The Pingry School reveals a strategic pivot toward academic and private infrastructure. These venues often provide a level of seclusion and controlled access that is harder to find in public municipal parks or high-traffic professional complexes.

Collegiate facilities in the U.S. are often equipped with high-standard turf and recovery tools that meet FIFA’s requirements. For teams like Jordan, a university setting provides a self-contained ecosystem where players can train and recover away from the public eye.

Similarly, private institutions like The Pingry School offer secure perimeters. This is a priority for teams managing high-profile athletes and large entourages, as it minimizes disruptions during the critical preparation window before the opening match.

By contrast, the Netherlands’ choice of the KC Current facility prioritizes professional specialization. Using a facility designed specifically for professional soccer players provides a different set of advantages, particularly regarding specialized sports science and pitch maintenance.