Salt Lake City, despite not hosting any World Cup games in 2026, may still have the opportunity to showcase its hospitality. FIFA has identified two potential Team Base Camps in the city: the University of Utah (Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City) and the RSL Training Centre (RSL Training Academy Residence). These base camps serve as a “home away from home” for the 48 participating teams during the tournament, providing a hub for travel as they compete in different locations for their games.
While hosting matches in Salt Lake City may not be possible, having teams stay in base camps can create strong connections with the local community and enhance the overall World Cup experience. Heimo Schirgi, Chief Operating Officer of the World Cup, emphasized the importance of hosting teams in base camps, stating that it creates a personal bond between the teams and the host city. The participating teams will work with individual cities to determine their base camps, so Salt Lake City may or may not ultimately host any teams during the tournament.
In addition to Salt Lake City, there are 24 other potential base camp locations in North America for the 2026 World Cup. As more options become available, teams will have a variety of choices for their accommodations during the tournament.
