Two sites in the Oklahoma City metro have been included in FIFA’s Team Base Camp Brochure as options for participating national teams
OKLAHOMA CITY – The world’s best international teams could be coming to Oklahoma when the FIFA World Cup 2026™ takes place across North America in June and July of 2026. Two sites in Oklahoma City and Norman have been included in FIFA’s expanded list of potential Team Base Camps in preparation for the biggest sporting event in history.
Oklahoma City’s professional soccer training facility, located in the heart of the Adventure District, and the University of Oklahoma’s athletic complexes in Norman have both been included as eligible training sites. These world-class venues offer top-tier amenities that meet FIFA’s rigorous standards to host national teams in the summer of 2026.
Additional Oklahoma locations are considering bidding to be Team Base Camps before national teams make their final decisions later this year.
Serving as a home away from home for participating teams to train, rest and prepare for matches, Team Base Camps are critically important to the event’s success. The newly released edition of FIFA’s Team Base Camp Brochure includes 62 locations across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Potential Team Base Camp sites for the 2026 tournament have undergone an extensive approval process with FIFA, based on the training facilities, local amenities and ease of access to one or more of the 16 host cities across North America.
In what will be the most watched sporting event ever, the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026™ is especially significant, as it marks the first time three countries — the United States, Canada, and Mexico — will jointly host the event. Additionally, the competition field has been expanded to 48 teams, making it the largest international tournament in soccer history.
Oklahoma’s opportunity to host has been made possible through the collaborative efforts of the City of OKC and members of the OKC for Soccer Committee with Echo Investment Capital (Echo), Visit OKC, the University of Oklahoma and the State of Oklahoma represented. Launched in August 2024, OKC for Soccer is a community driven and collaborative initiative led by Echo to reimagine professional soccer in Oklahoma City.
Teams will submit their final selections following the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The draw, anticipated to be staged in December 2025, will reveal the geographic zones in which teams will play their group matches, further guiding their decisions regarding their respective Team Base Camp locations.
Local leaders and partners shared their excitement about the inclusion and what it means for Oklahoma City.
David Holt, Mayor of Oklahoma City:
“Though we know it is ultimately out of our control whether a national team selects metro OKC as a Team Base Camp, just the fact that we could be considered is a testament to our growth as a community, our rising profile in international sports, and our commitment to soccer. Our city hosts the Women’s College World Series, the world’s greatest basketball team, and will stage seven Olympic events in 2028. We are also making a major commitment to soccer through MAPS 4 and prioritize our relationship with the sport. I commend everyone involved in this effort for their collaborative work behind the scenes to establish this potential opportunity, and I can assure any national team that they will find OKC to be a fantastic host in 2026.”
Matt Pinnell, Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma:
"Oklahoma is investing heavily in sports tourism, generating a major economic impact across the state. Over the past two years, sports tourism has generated over $250 million in Oklahoma, and our potential to support yet another global sporting event presents a chance for Oklahoma’s unparalleled hospitality to shine. I am excited for the opportunity to show off our state as a world-class soccer destination.”
Zac Craig, President of Visit OKC:
“This is another opportunity to elevate Oklahoma City as a global destination. Through pristine infrastructure, first-rate accommodations, and fun things to do, all of the pieces are in place to provide a ‘home away from home’ for the world’s best national teams.”
Christian Kanady, Partner and CEO of Echo:
“Oklahoma City is now a contender to support the world’s best soccer teams and further demonstrate what we’re capable of on the biggest stage in sports. Not only is FIFA’s recognition significant for the region, but it is yet another example of our city’s growth and momentum. At Echo, we are proud to be at the forefront of the next chapter for professional soccer and sports & entertainment in OKC – an investment that will energize our community and devoted fans anywhere.”
Mackenzie Dilbeck, Deputy A.D. of the University of Oklahoma:
“The Oklahoma Sooners are thrilled to open our doors and be included among the sites considered to host national teams for the World Cup. Our state is home to high-performance soccer facilities and a strong and growing fanbase. We’re incredibly thankful for the opportunity to support some of the world’s best squads as they compete on the largest stage in all of international soccer.”
Court Jeske, President of OKC for Soccer:
“Oklahoma has united around the world’s game, and we are proud to extend our top-class facilities and renowned hospitality in support of the most historic World Cup ever. This marks another milestone in our region’s emergence as a location for international sporting events. On our part, we are incredibly proud to offer OKC’s pro soccer training facility as one of those world-class options.”