Belgium chooses Seattle as base camp for 2026 World Cup
Seattle has been selected as the base camp for the Belgian national team during the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The Red Devils will train at the Providence Swedish Performance Centre and Clubhouse, home to MLS club Seattle Sounders, the Belgian Football Association (RBFA) confirmed on Thursday.
Taylor Graham, Chief Integration Officer at Seattle Sounders, welcomed the news warmly. "It is an honour to welcome the Belgian national team for the World Cup," he said. "This isn't just about hosting Belgium – it's about the world coming to Seattle and experiencing what has been built here. The fact that one of the best national teams in the world has chosen our facilities as its home base says it all."
The Providence Swedish Performance Centre and Clubhouse, which opened in 2024, features four full-size training pitches. The complex also includes dedicated first-team changing rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, and a treatment and recovery room equipped with a sauna, cold tub, hot tub and cryotherapy room.
Pacific Northwest
"We are particularly pleased to be establishing our base at the Seattle Sounders' world-class facilities," technical director Vincent Mannaerts said in a press release. "We are convinced that the professional environment in Seattle will create the ideal conditions for our players and staff to prepare optimally and proudly represent Belgium on the world stage."
The choice for Seattle was straightforward, as Belgium plays two of its three group matches in the Pacific Northwest region. The Red Devils open their World Cup campaign on 15 June against Egypt in Seattle, and close out the group stage on 26 June against New Zealand in Vancouver, Canada. The players will travel to Los Angeles and back for a match against Iran on 21 June – a round trip spanning thousands of kilometres.
© BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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