(Le Floridien) – The mystery surrounding the future base camp of the Haitian national team for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ has now been resolved. Contrary to earlier rumors suggesting that Haiti would establish its headquarters in Port St. Lucie, Florida, FIFA has confirmed that the Grenadiers will instead be based in New Jersey during the tournament.
According to FIFA’s official announcement regarding the finalization of Team Base Camp (TBC) Training Sites, Haiti will be part of the New York/New Jersey regional footprint and will use Stockton University as its training base throughout the group stage of the competition.
The announcement marks a major organizational milestone for the historic FIFA World Cup 2026™, which will feature 48 national teams for the first time and will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
For months, speculation within the Haitian community and soccer circles pointed toward Port St. Lucie, Florida — a city with a large Haitian population and strong Caribbean ties — as the likely destination for the Haitian squad. Many supporters believed South Florida would naturally become Haiti’s operational hub due to its proximity to Haiti and its vibrant Haitian-American fan base.
However, FIFA’s final decision places Haiti in the New York/New Jersey corridor, one of the most important regions for Haitian diaspora communities in the United States.
Stockton University, located in southern New Jersey, will serve as Haiti’s “home away from home,” where players, coaches, and staff will train, recover, and prepare between matches during the group phase of the tournament.
FIFA emphasized that Team Base Camps are much more than training facilities. They are designed to immerse participating teams in local communities while spreading the economic and cultural benefits of the World Cup far beyond the 16 official host cities.
“Team Base Camps are an integral part of the fabric of any FIFA World Cup™,” said Heimo Schirgi in FIFA’s statement. “They are where teams put down roots, train and recuperate, and experience the day-to-day rhythms of the tournament.”
The governing body also highlighted that 25 non-host communities across North America will welcome national teams during the tournament, creating additional excitement and economic activity.
Of the 48 participating nations:
- 39 teams will be based in the United States
- Seven teams will stay in Mexico
- Two teams will be located in Canada
For Haitian supporters, the New Jersey location could ultimately prove advantageous. The New York-New Jersey metropolitan area is home to one of the largest Haitian diaspora populations in the country, potentially allowing the Grenadiers to enjoy massive fan support throughout the tournament.
The selection of Stockton University may also create opportunities for Haitian businesses, media outlets, restaurants, and cultural organizations in the Northeast to benefit from the influx of fans and international attention surrounding the World Cup.
As anticipation builds for the biggest FIFA World Cup in history, Haiti’s confirmed base in New Jersey officially puts an end to the Florida speculation and signals where the heart of the Grenadiers’ World Cup journey will begin.
2026 World Cup base camps
| Team | Base camp location |
| Algeria | University of Kansas – Lawrence, KS |
| Argentina | Sporting KC Training Centre – Kansas City, KS |
| Australia | Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club – Alameda, CA |
| Austria | Harder Stadium – Goleta, CA |
| Belgium | Providence Swedish Performance Center & Clubhouse – Renton, WA |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | RSL Stadium – Sandy, UT |
| Brazil | Columbia Park Training Facility – Morris Township, NJ |
| Canada | National Soccer Development Centre – Vancouver, BC |
| Cape Verde | Waters Sportsplex – Tampa, FL |
| Colombia | Atlas AGA Academy – Guadalajara, MX |
| DR Congo | SaberCats Stadium – Houston, TX |
| Croatia | Episcopal High School – Alexandria, VA |
| Curaçao | Florida Atlantic University – Boca Raton, FL |
| Czechia | Texas Health Mansfield Stadium – Mansfield, TX |
| Ecuador | Columbus Crew Peformance Center – Columbus, OH |
| Egypt | Gonzaga University – Spokane, WA |
| England | Swope Soccer Village – Kansas City, MO |
| France | Bentley University – Waltham, MA |
| Germany | Wake Forest University – Winston Salem, NC |
| Ghana | Bryant University – Smithfield, RI |
| Haiti | Stockton University – Galloway, NJ |
| Iran | Centro Xoloitzcuintle – Tijuana, BC, MX |
| Iraq | Greenbrier Resort – White Sulphur Springs, WV |
| Ivory Coast | Subaru Park – Chester, PA |
| Japan | Vanderbilt Health Training Center – Antioch, TN |
| Jordan | University of Portland – Portland, OR |
| Mexico | Centro de Alto Rendimiento – Mexico City |
| Morocco | Pingry School – Basking Ridge, NJ |
| Netherlands | Kansas City Current Training Facility – Riverside, MO |
| New Zealand | University of San Diego – San Diego, CA |
| Norway | UNC Greensboro – Greensboro, NC |
| Panama | Nottawasaga Resort – Alliston, ON |
| Paraguay | Spartan Soccer Complex – San Jose, CA |
| Portugal | Gardens North County District Park – Palm Beach Gardens, FL |
| Qatar | Westmont College – Santa Barbara, CA |
| Saudi Arabia | Q2 Stadium – Austin, TX |
| Scotland | Atrium Health Performance Park – East Charlotte, NC |
| Senegal | Rutgers University – Piscataway, NJ |
| South Africa | Universidad del Futbol y Ciencias del Deportes – Pachuca, MX |
| South Korea | Chivas Verde Valle – Guadalajara, MX |
| Spain | Baylor School – Chattanooga, TN |
| Sweden | Toyota Stadium – Frisco, TX |
| Switzerland | San Diego Jewish Academy – San Diego, CA |
| Tunisia | Rayados Training Centre – Monterrey, MX |
| Turkey | Arizona Athletic Grounds – Mesa, AZ |
| USA | Great Park – Irvine, CA |
| Uruguay | Mayakoba Training Centre – Playa del Carmen, MX |
| Uzbekistan | Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground – Marietta, GA |
