The All Whites have confirmed they will be based in Southern California for the FIFA World Cup 2026™️, selecting San Diego as their official Team Base Camp.

New Zealand Football have chosen the University of San Diego’s Torero Stadium as their training ground as well as a team hotel close by. 

As with the majority of sides at the FIFA World Cup 2026, the team will be based in one city and then travel to the match location either one or two days before games. 

Ahead of the All Whites opening match against IR Iran on 16 June NZT in Los Angeles, California, the team will travel two hours by road. 

Vancouver, Canada, the location for the team’s second and third Group G games against Egypt on 22 June NZT and Belgium on 27 June NZT, is a three-hour flight away. 

Alongside being the All Whites home for the FIFA World Cup 2026, San Diego holds a special place in Kiwi sporting folklore as the city where Team New Zealand claimed their first America’s Cup win in 1995.

All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley said:

“Selecting our base camp is a really important part of our preparation for the tournament so we can make sure the team is in the best place possible on and off the pitch. 

“San Diego offers a great combination of the criteria we were looking for, from a really high-quality training pitch at Torero Stadium, to an ideal hotel for the team.

“We look forward to working with the city over the next few months to really get to know the place and hope to have all 1.4 million San Diegans taking us on as their second team.”

The All Whites confirmed last month they will warm up for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with an international friendly against England in South Florida on 7 June NZT. 

A second warm-up fixture, likely also in the USA, is currently being explored. 

Prior to departing for the FIFA World Cup 2026 the All Whites will play two home games in March in Aotearoa New Zealand as part of the FIFA Series 2026, giving Kiwi fans a final opportunity to support the team before the tournament. 

On Friday 27 March the All Whites will face Finland, the first men’s UEFA side to play in Aotearoa New Zealand in over 30 years, followed by Chile on Monday 30 March. 

Both games will be played at Eden Park in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland at 7pm. 

Book tickets from Ticketek.

Article added: Tuesday 03 March 2026