North Texas to Host World Cup Base Camps for Two UEFA Play-Off Winners

Two UEFA Play-Off path winners from Europe will use team base camp training sites in North Texas during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The two men’s national soccer teams, which will be confirmed after winning their intercontinental play-offs at the end of this month, will train at FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco and Mansfield Stadium in Mansfield after they were announced as official team base camp training sites by FIFA and the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee this week.

Home to Major League Soccer franchise FC Dallas, FC Dallas Stadium (also known as Toyota Stadium) is a 145-acre soccer-specific complex that features 17 tournament-grade fields. The site is currently undergoing a $200 million modernization renovation ahead of the 2028 MLS season, as part of a collaboration between Hunt Sports Management and the City of Frisco.

The stadium will host the winner of UEFA Play-Off Path B, which will be one of Albania, Poland, Sweden or Ukraine. Ukraine will face Sweden and Poland will play Albania to qualify for a one-leg final on March 31 to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“Being selected as Team Base Camp Training Sites reinforces what we’ve believed for a long time – that this region is the epicenter of FIFA World Cup 2026,” said Dan Hunt, president of FC Dallas and co-chair of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee.

Meanwhile, multi-use soccer venue Mansfield Stadium (also known as Texas Health Mansfield Stadium) will be the home of North Texas SC, the MLS NEXT Pro affiliate of FC Dallas, once it opens as expected in the summer. Operated by REV Entertainment and Hunt Sports, the development on Staybolt Street will also feature housing, retail and entertainment venues, as well as a hotel and conference center.

The stadium will host the winner of UEFA Play-Off Path D, which will be one of Czechia, Denmark, North Macedonia and Republic of Ireland. Denmark will go up against North Macedonia and Czechia will face Republic of Ireland for the right to qualify for the Path D final, also on March 31.

“We look forward to showing our guests the Southern hospitality Mansfield is known for,” said Mansfield Mayor Michael Evans said. “With Mansfield Stadium and the Staybolt District lining up perfectly with the biggest sporting event in the world, Mansfield will make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee is overseeing planning for the tournament in the region, which includes managing the International Broadcast Center and the official FIFA Fan Festival. The 94,000-seat AT&T Stadium / Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will host nine FIFA World Cup matches in total, including five group stage matches, two Round-of-32 and one Round-of-16 games, and a semi-final.

“We are thrilled that both FC Dallas Stadium and Mansfield Stadium have been selected as Team Base Camp Training Sites for FIFA World Cup 2026,” said Monica Paul, president of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee. “North Texas had multiple outstanding facilities and municipalities that submitted strong proposals during the selection process. While many were deserving, we are honored to have two sites chosen and are confident both will represent our region at the highest standard.”

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.