FIFA identifies team hotels for nations that pick World Cup base camp in KC area
Not long after the 2026 World Cup draw is held on Dec. 5, teams that have qualified for the tournament will begin looking for a place to stay next summer.
Those national soccer teams that have qualified for the World Cup (and we won’t know them all in early December), will pick the city where they want to have their base camp.
It’ll be the place they train before and in between the three group-stage matches they will play.
Three potential base-camp sites are in the Kansas City area. National teams will have the opportunity to train at Compass Mineral Sporting Fields, where Sporting KC practices; the KC Women’s Soccer Training Complex for the KC Current; and the University of Kansas’ facilities and Rock Chalk Park.
FIFA made an online base camp brochure for its member associations that includes “top-notch training site and hotel pairings that could become your home away from home.”
Here are hotel pairings FIFA suggested for the three training sites in the Kansas City area. Each will have the option for the entire hotel to be dedicated to a national team.
Hotel Savoy
219 West 9th St. in Kansas City
This is FIFA’s top option for a national team wanting to train at Sporting Kansas City’s facilities.
FIFA wrote: “Hotel Savoy, a full buyout option, offers stylish accommodations, extensive meeting space, and convenient downtown access, ideal for teams seeking comfort, privacy, and proximity to Kansas City’s top attractions. “The nearby Sporting KC Training Centre, home to MLS’ Sporting Kansas City, is state-of-the-art with its cutting-edge facilities and services contributing to football development across the USA.”
Hotel Kansas City
1228 Baltimore Ave. in Kansas City
For a team training at the Current site, this is FIFA’s preferred hotel choice.
It wrote in the brochure: “The official Hotel of Major League Soccer for Sporting Kansas City and host to many other National Teams, Hotel Kansas City sets the standard for grand hospitality. Hotel Kansas City is part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt. “Hotel has the option for a full buyout.”
The Oread Lawrence
1200 Oread Ave. in Lawrence
If a national team chooses to train in Lawrence next summer, the Oread is the option that FIFA thinks is best.
This is from FIFA’s brochure: “The Oread Lawrence, located beside the University of Kansas, offers full buyout and exclusive use for national teams. With seven adaptable meeting rooms and an outdoor terrace known as The Nest, the hotel provides a focused and private environment for rest, recovery, and team operations. The dedicated staff ensures a tailored, team-first experience throughout the stay.
“The University of Kansas training facility, a short drive away, includes multiple dressing rooms, medical rooms, polar and thermal recovery baths, two gyms, a cardio room, equipment storage, and dedicated meeting spaces — fully equipped to support elite football preparation.”
This story was originally published November 5, 2025 at 11:32 AM.
