Canada Soccer selects Vancouver’s National Soccer Development Centre at the University of British Columbia as team base camp for FIFA World Cup 2026™
Canada Soccer has confirmed that Vancouver, British Columbia, will serve as Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team’s base camp for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, which will be staged across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
CANMNT will be based at the National Soccer Development Centre (NSDC) at the University of British Columbia, a world-class high-performance facility developed in 2017 in partnership with the University of British Columbia (UBC), the Province of British Columbia, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Located on UBC’s Vancouver campus, the facility is home to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC first team, as well as the club’s MLS NEXT Pro, U-18, U-16, and U-15 Academy teams, as well as Northern Super League (NSL) club Vancouver Rise FC. In total, there are approximately 200 players, coaches, and staff operating out of the building on a normal basis.
The fieldhouse offers a comprehensive high-performance environment, including a two-story weight room with panoramic views of the grass training pitches and surrounding mountains, dedicated player lounge areas, individualized nutrition facilities, and a sports science wing equipped with hydrotherapy and recovery services. The centre also features a separate entrance and work area designed to accommodate media operations during major international events.
“We are incredibly grateful to Vancouver Whitecaps FC for opening their doors to the Men’s National Team. The Whitecaps have a long-standing tradition of supporting the national program, and by welcoming us into their home at the NSDC, they are playing a vital role in our journey toward 2026.” - Mathieu Chamberland, Chief of Soccer Operations, Associate General Secretary
Canada Soccer conducted an extensive evaluation process to identify a base camp in Canada that would meet the sporting, logistical, and operational demands of a home FIFA World Cup 2026, with an emphasis on training quality, recovery standards, privacy, and integrated support services.
“A home FIFA World Cup brings unique pressures and opportunities. By establishing our team base camp in Vancouver, we are securing a stable, private, and world-class environment where our team staff can operate at the highest level to support the team’s success." - Jesse Marsch, Canada Soccer's Men's National Team Coach
Vancouver will serve as the team’s home base during the opening phase of the tournament, providing a stable and familiar performance environment as Canada prepares to compete on the world stage in 2026.
"Today’s announcement highlights what’s possible when organizations come together with a shared vision. Working closely with Canada Soccer, FIFA and our partners at UBC and the Vancouver Whitecaps, we’re excited to see this come to fruition. The NSDC has long been a world-class facility, and it’s exciting to see it recognized as a Team Base Camp, especially as we prepare to welcome the Canadian Men’s National Team to Vancouver. It’s a great moment for our city and province as we count down to kickoff for the world’s biggest sporting event." Jessie Adcock, Host Committee Lead, FIFA World Cup 2026™ Vancouver