Ecuador Secures Columbus, Ohio, Base Camp for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Ecuador’s Men’s National Soccer Team will use the OhioHealth Performance Center in Columbus, Ohio, as its training base camp site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

However, no details have yet been provided about the team’s accommodation facilities during the tournament.

The OhioHealth Performance Center is the training facility of Major League Soccer franchise Columbus Crew. The 42,000 square-foot training facility features three and a half natural grass training fields, three synthetic turf fields, a gym and specialized recovery areas, a cinema, kitchen, dining area and more.

The training center opened in 2021 next to Historic Crew Stadium, which Columbus Crew vacated at the same time to move to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.

“It’s an honor to host the Ecuadorian National Team, along with their supporters, in Columbus this summer during the World Cup,” said Columbus Crew General Manager Issa Tall. “Our club, facilities and city are committed to providing Ecuador the top-class experience needed to successfully prepare for the World Cup. We appreciate their partnership, and we look forward to welcoming them to their home away from home.”

The training facility has previously hosted a number of U.S. Men’s National Team camps and training sessions for the 2024 MLS All-Star Game.

In addition, it was recently announced that Columbus would be one of seven host cities for the 2028 Olympic Summer Games soccer tournament. The other cities are: Pasadena, California; New York City, New York; Nashville, Tennessee; St. Louis, Missouri; San José, California; and San Diego, California.

Ecuador will play in Group E at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, beginning in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, against Côte d’Ivoire on June 14. They will then head to Kansas City, Missouri, to face Curaçao on June 20 before finishing their group stage campaign against Germany in New York/New Jersey on June 25.

FIFA World Cup Preparations

Read the full list of confirmed base camps so far here.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which has been expanded to 48 teams, will begin with Mexico vs. South Africa on June 11 in Mexico City, with the final being held on July 19 in New York New Jersey.