The Mayor of San Diego, Todd Gloria, announced that the city has been selected as a base camp for two national teams during the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The teams represent the Swiss Football Association and New Zealand Football, whose national squads will establish their operations center in San Diego while the tournament—considered the most-watched sporting event in the world—takes place.
“It’s official: San Diego is a World Cup 2026 base camp for Switzerland and New Zealand,” the mayor said in a public statement, emphasizing that both national teams chose the city as their temporary home during the competition.
Gloria stressed that the designation reaffirms the region’s international standing. “We continue to prove that San Diego is a global city that people and events choose again and again,” he stated.
Being named a base camp means the teams will conduct training, team preparations, and logistical activities in the city throughout the tournament. In addition to the sporting significance, local authorities anticipate economic benefits stemming from the arrival of delegations, technical staff, media representatives, and fans.
The tournament will kick off on June 11, 2026, and will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, marking the first World Cup to feature 48 participating national teams.