Three national soccer teams, including two ranked among the top five in the world by FIFA, will begin their journey to a FIFA World Cup title in The Palm Beaches. The Palm Beach County Sports Commission, in partnership with FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), the City of Palm Beach Gardens, and Florida Atlantic University, will host three international teams for Team Base Camps in June and July.
Unlike host cities that welcome teams only on match days, base camp destinations benefit from extended stays, generating sustained economic impact and global visibility.
Portugal, one of the most popular national soccer teams globally and currently ranked fifth in the world will utilize the Gardens North County District Park as its official Team Base Camp. Portugal is also bringing one of the world’s most recognized athletes and global superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo. The fourth-ranked team in the world, England, will also train at the Gardens North County District Park as a Pre-Base Camp site.
Additionally, the Curaçao national team will establish its Team Base Camp at Flagler Credit Union Stadium on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Representing one of the emerging national teams, Curaçao’s participation introduces a strong Caribbean connection and expands The Palm Beaches’ reach into new and growing global markets. These national teams will live in The Palm Beaches this summer while they train, practice, and compete in one of the globe’s most iconic sports events.
The FIFA World Cup is a quadrennial event that features a 48-nation field (divided into 12 groups of four). North America will serve as the host region, with the United States, Canada, and Mexico representing the three host nations. The three co-host nations automatically qualified for the tournament, while the remaining 45 spots were decided through qualifying competitions across FIFA’s six confederations over the past year.
Hosting FIFA World Cup Team Base Camps will generate a significant tourism impact for Palm Beach County. The extended stay of nearly two months by participating teams, combined with traveling fans and support personnel, will produce substantial hotel demand across the destination.
In addition, the influx of visitor spending associated with these teams and their global following will provide a significant boost to Palm Beach County’s hospitality industry while further strengthening the local tourism economy. Beyond direct spending, the global spotlight associated with the FIFA World Cup will position The Palm Beaches in front of millions of viewers worldwide, creating long-term destination awareness and future visitation opportunities.
Both Portugal and Curaçao will compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage from June 11 to June 27 across North American host cities, using Palm Beach County as their training base throughout the tournament period. The final rounds will follow, and the FIFA World Cup will conclude on July 19.
The Team Base Camp sites represent two of the premier sports venues that live in The Palm Beaches. The North County Gardens District Park in Palm Beach Gardens has become a premier soccer destination in Palm Beach County. The 82-acre complex features 10 lighted Latitude 36 Bermuda Grass multi-purpose fields built to FIFA regulations, with state-of-the-art LED lighting for optimal play.
The Gardens North County District Park served as the Team Base Camp for Real Madrid during last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup. This venue was also a training site for numerous international teams participating in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the CONMEBOL Copa América over the last three years in addition to seven Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs in 2026. Additionally, Gardens North County District Park has been the site of many of the nation’s premier soccer tournaments and showcases.
With views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Boca Raton beaches just 1.8 miles away, Flagler Credit Union Stadium offers one of the nation's most unique, tropical settings for sports. The stadium offers pristine natural grass-field. Florida Atlantic’s athletic facilities include a dedicated football locker room at the stadium, and an 11,669-square-foot Schmidt Weight and Cardio Room located in the adjacent Schmidt Family Complex.
The Palm Beaches is an ideal setting for international teams preparing for one of the world’s largest sporting event, offering world-class training facilities, a warm year-round climate, and luxury accommodations. This combination of elite infrastructure and coastal lifestyle continues to attract top-tier global competitions.
Hosting multiple team base camps for the 2026 FIFA World Cup strengthens Palm Beach County’s position as a leader in sports tourism, driving economic impact, global exposure, and community engagement.
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