Germany Selects Winston-Salem as FIFA World Cup Training Site

Germany has become the first 2026 FIFA World Cup team to select a base camp, choosing Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as its official training site and team headquarters during the tournament. The German Men’s National Team will train at Wake Forest’s W. Dennie Spry Soccer Stadium and reside at The Graylyn Estate.

“Wake Forest University is truly honored to host the German Men’s National Team as its official training base for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Wake Forest University President Susan R. Wente said. “We are eager to welcome one of the world’s premier soccer teams to Winston-Salem, our Triad community, and to Wake Forest’s W. Dennie Spry Soccer Stadium — one of the top soccer facilities in the nation, and to The Graylyn Estate — one of the nation’s most historic and highly sought-after boutique hotels. This global partnership reinforces our dedication to support a vibrant, connected region, and we are enthusiastic about the possibilities of making the World Cup experience available to our community.”

Germany is one of the most successful national teams, winning the FIFA World Cup in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014. They are currently ranked No. 9 in the FIFA world rankings.

In addition to the choosing Wake Forest for its training site, the team was attracted to The Graylyn Estate as the team’s base camp as a premier boutique hotel with a secluded 55-acre setting that offers the privacy, focus and comfort, according to the team.

“With our Home Ground in Herzogenaurach, we found a place that allows the team to come together regularly while still providing the necessary peace and privacy,” German Men’s National Team Head Coach Julian Nagelsmann said. “We have discovered exactly the same conditions here at Graylyn. From a coaching and team perspective, the most important factor is the proximity to the training pitches.

“The cooperation with Wake Forest University is unique. We already find many things available on site and don’t have to bring everything from Germany. That makes logistics much easier. We have outstanding conditions here, both on the pitch and beyond.”

More Teams Prepare to Select Bases

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature a record 48 teams, all of which are expected to declare an official training base. Germany bypassed an official FIFA program to select a training site, with other teams needing to declare their top choices by January 9. In fact, Winston-Salem was not on the original list of potential training camp options that FIFA earlier released. FIFA nonetheless approved Germany’s selection.

Germany is scheduled to open group play on June 14 in Houston, followed by matches in Toronto on June 20 and New York/New Jersey on June 25.

“Welcoming the German national team to train at Wake Forest is an extraordinary honor for Winston-Salem and a proud moment for our community,” said Visit Winston-Salem President and CEO Stephanie Pace Brown. “Their presence showcases our city on the global stage and reflects the warm hospitality and passion for sports that define this destination.”