The Three Lions in KC? Gripe with FIFA may reveal England’s base camp preference
England national team coach Thomas Tuchel isn’t happy about the base camp system planned by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
And his gripe sheds light on Kansas City as a possible team headquarters for The Three Lions.
According to The Telegraph, England is considering setting up base camp in Kansas City, which has two available sites: Compass Mineral Sporting Fields, where Sporting KC trains; and the KC Women’s Soccer Training Complex for the KC Current.
Lawrence’s Rock Chalk Park is a third regional base camp possibility.
Why KC? In addition to the top-notch facilities, the central location is appealing. Kansas City is a four-hour plane ride (or less) to the other World Cup venues.
Tuchel is expected to visit the sites during the FIFA Club World Cup currently in the U.S.
But he’s unhappy about a new base camp development. For the first time, teams advancing past the group stage will be required to relocate closer to their next match venue and set up a new training camp each time. Until this World Cup, teams were allowed to select a single site for the duration of the tournament.
Tuchel and the English Football Association (FA) are planning to formally challenge FIFA’s decision, and return to one base camp-for-the-duration model.
If teams relocate, Kansas City, because it is a site for games in the round of 32 and quarterfinals, would likely be a base camp site through most if not all of the tournament.
Base camps teams won’t be known until the field is drawn in December.
This story was originally published June 23, 2025 at 9:44 AM.