🔗 Share this article The Three Lions Scout for FIFA 2026 Training Facilities Following Fears of Missing Out On Preferred Base to Netherlands. The Football Association has sent officials to the America this week to inspect potential facilities for the forthcoming global finals, amid increasing apprehensions that their first-choice base could be taken by the Netherlands. Tournament Draw Complexities Disrupt Arrangements Head coach Thomas Tuchel had previously approved an FA plan for England to set up camp in Kansas after a pre-tournament training camp in Fort Lauderdale. But, following the recent tournament draw, there are now fears that the Netherlands, who have their group stage matches in Kansas, will be given first choice on the chosen facility at Sporting Kansas City—a state-of-the-art centre operated by US Soccer. FIFA allocates training bases based on geography and FIFA rankings if there is a dispute, with the draw possibly placing the FA against the Netherlands and Argentina for bases in the tournament's south-central region. Exploring Alternative Sites Given England's group stage matches set to take place in Dallas, Boston, and New Jersey, the FA is now understood to be exploring other locations on the US East Coast. The association started its scouting process for training camps at the beginning of the year, with Tuchel and director of football John McDermott visiting potential sites during the Club World Cup last summer. In spite of this early preparation, there was always an understanding that the official tournament draw could drastically change their plans. Later Round Travel Strategy England face the eighth most arduous group stage draw in terms of mileage. Winning Group L would put England on course for a round of 32 game in Atlanta, followed by possible round of 16 match in Mexico City. Significant Change: The FA may decide to move between venues for the knockout stages should England qualify, a major departure from its standard protocol of maintaining a fixed tournament base. Tournament Organizers Encouragement: FIFA is understood to be actively encouraging such a flexible strategy for the vast 2026 tournament. After the training base is confirmed, the FA will turn its attention to scheduling two pre-tournament matches in Florida at the beginning of June.