🔗 Share this article England Scout for World Cup Bases Amid Concerns of Missing Out On First-Choice Base to Netherlands. England's football governing body has sent operational staff to the America this week to inspect potential training camps for the forthcoming global finals, amidst growing concerns that their top-pick site could be taken by the Dutch national team. Draw Complexities Disrupt Preparations Head coach Thomas Tuchel had earlier approved an FA plan for England to be based in Kansas following a warm-up training period in Fort Lauderdale. But, after the recent tournament draw, there are now concerns that the Netherlands, who play their group stage matches in Kansas, will be awarded priority on the desired facility at Sporting Kansas City—a state-of-the-art centre used by US Soccer. FIFA assigns training camps according to geographic location and world rankings if there is a dispute, with the draw potentially pitting the FA against the Netherlands and Argentina for sites in the tournament's south-central region. Considering Other Sites Given England's group fixtures set to take place in Dallas, Boston, and New Jersey, the FA is now understood to be exploring other locations on the east coast. The FA began its search for training camps at the beginning of the year, with Tuchel and director of football John McDermott visiting possible sites during the Club World Cup last summer. Despite this advanced planning, there was always an understanding that the final tournament draw could significantly alter their logistical arrangements. Knockout Stage Logistics Strategy England have the eighth most arduous group stage schedule in terms of travel distance. Topping Group L would set England on course for a last-32 game in Atlanta, then a potential last-16 tie in Mexico City. Major Departure: The FA may decide to travel from match to match for the later rounds if England qualify, a major departure from its standard practice of having a single tournament base. Tournament Organizers Recommendation: FIFA is understood to be recommending such a itinerant approach for the vast 2026 tournament. Once the training base is finalized, the FA will focus on organizing two friendly matches in Florida at the beginning of June.