Kansas City Emerges as Base Camp Capital for FIFA World Cup 2026

Kansas City, MO — The Kansas City region has solidified its position as a premier destination for international soccer by securing four Team Base Camps for the FIFA World Cup 2026, making it one of only two host cities with this distinction. For video production professionals covering the tournament, this announcement represents an unprecedented opportunity to capture elite-level soccer content across multiple world-class facilities throughout the metro area.

The four national teams selecting Kansas City facilities include Algeria, Argentina, England, and Netherlands—with three of these being FIFA Pot 1 teams. This concentration of elite talent positions Kansas City as the only host city with more than one top-seeded team, a testament to the region's world-class soccer infrastructure and hospitality.

Strategic Facility Assignments Across the Metro

According to Sporting Kansas City's official announcement, the Team Base Camp pairings demonstrate the breadth and quality of facilities across both Missouri and Kansas:

• Algeria will train at the University of Kansas Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, Kansas
• Argentina (reigning World Cup champions) selected Sporting KC Training Centre in Kansas City, Kansas
• England chose Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri
• Netherlands will utilize KC Current Training Facility in Riverside, Missouri

As Sporting KC President and CEO Jake Reid noted in the announcement, "Over the past 15 years this region has invested more than $650 million in soccer infrastructure, and that level of commitment is exactly why Kansas City has earned its reputation as the Soccer Capital of America."

Production Opportunities Beyond Match Day

Team Base Camps serve as a "home away from home" for participating teams, providing dedicated training facilities and accommodations throughout the tournament. Unlike Venue-Specific Training Sites used immediately before matches, base camps offer extended access to teams during their entire World Cup journey.

For camera crews and production companies, this creates unique storytelling opportunities beyond the 90 minutes of match action at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Teams will conduct daily training sessions, media availabilities, and community engagement activities at these facilities—all requiring professional video coverage for international broadcasters, national federations, and digital content platforms.

The commitment from Argentina, England, and Netherlands to remain in Kansas City following the Round of 32 rather than relocating between match cities demonstrates their confidence in the region's facilities and services. This extended presence means sustained production work throughout the tournament's progression.

Regional Collaboration Drives Success

Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026, emphasized the significance of the bi-state achievement: "Missouri and Kansas will each host two team base camps—an outcome that reflects both the strength of our regional collaboration and the caliber of what this community offers the world."

The selection process was highly competitive, with national federations choosing from more than 50 official Team Base Camp options presented in FIFA's brochure. Tours of Kansas City facilities intensified following the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw in December, with more than 10 teams visiting the region in recent weeks before making their final selections.

Infrastructure Investment Pays Dividends

The decision by four elite national teams to select Kansas City facilities validates decades of strategic investment in soccer infrastructure. As Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas stated in the announcement, "The Soccer Capital of America is now the Base Camp Capital of the World."

This infrastructure includes not only the training facilities themselves but also the supporting ecosystem of hotels, transportation networks, medical facilities, and media services that international teams require. For production professionals, this means access to modern facilities designed with broadcast and content creation in mind, from camera positions at training grounds to media workrooms and fiber connectivity.

What This Means for Video Production Services

The presence of four national teams across the Kansas City metro creates several distinct production opportunities:

Training Coverage: Daily training sessions at four separate facilities will require dedicated camera crews familiar with sports production workflows and capable of delivering broadcast-quality footage under tight deadlines.

Feature Content: Teams will seek production services for behind-the-scenes documentaries, player profiles, and social media content that connects with fans back home and builds their World Cup narrative.

Media Operations: International broadcasters covering these teams will need local crew support, equipment rental, and production coordination services throughout the tournament.

Community Engagement: Teams typically participate in community events, youth clinics, and cultural exchanges during their base camp stay—all requiring professional documentation.

The geographic distribution of base camps across Lawrence, Kansas City (Kansas), Kansas City (Missouri), and Riverside means production companies with knowledge of the entire metro area and the ability to mobilize crews efficiently across state lines will have a competitive advantage.

Looking Ahead to Summer 2026

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches, the selection of Kansas City as a base camp destination for four national teams—including three Pot 1 teams—confirms what local soccer supporters have known for years: this region offers world-class facilities and genuine hospitality that resonates with international visitors.

For the video production community, the opportunity to work alongside some of the world's most talented players and technical staff at facilities across the Kansas City metro represents a career-defining experience. The content created during these base camp operations will reach global audiences and contribute to the historical record of the largest FIFA World Cup ever staged.

Kansas City World Cup Crews stands ready to support international broadcasters, national federations, and content creators with professional camera operators, broadcast equipment, and complete production services across all four base camp locations and at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Source: Sporting Kansas City official announcement, February 19, 2026