City of Greensboro, NC
03/10/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/10/2026 12:10
Norway Selects Greensboro as Base Camp Site for 2026 Men's Soccer World Cup
Greensboro has been named as the Team Base Camp city for the Norwegian National Football Team ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) designated as the team's training facility, continuing the city's role in supporting international athletic competition.
The Greensboro Sports Foundation led the local organizing committee in partnership with the City of Greensboro, UNCG, and the Greensboro Convention & Visitors Bureau. UNCG's world-class training facilities, proximity to downtown Greensboro, and access to Piedmont Triad International Airport were key factors in Norway's decision, which identified Greensboro as the top choice for its Team Base Camp.
The partnership underscores Greensboro's reputation for excellence as a destination for national and international sports. In 2025, during the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup™, UNCG served as a training facility for Brazil's SE Palmeiras, demonstrating the university's capability to support elite international soccer programs.
"Greensboro is honored to welcome Team Norway as it prepares for the FIFA World Cup 2026," said Greensboro Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter. "This selection reflects the strength of our partnerships, UNCG's outstanding facilities, and our city's commitment to international athletics."
"UNCG is proud to support an international team of this caliber as it prepares to compete on the world stage," said UNCG Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr. "This opportunity reflects the strength of our campus and the partnerships that make Greensboro and UNCG a premier destination for global athletics."
"We've worked closely with FIFA for over a year to bring a national team to Greensboro, and having Norway choose our city as its base ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is a tremendous honor. It elevates Greensboro's reputation as a global 'tournament town' and showcases our community's world-class facilities and hospitality on the international stage," said Richard Beard, President of the Greensboro Sports Foundation.
"Hosting the Norwegian National Football Team exemplifies Greensboro's legacy as one of the foremost destinations for professional sports in the Southeast," said Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Chief Executive Officer Anthony Cordo. "Welcoming fans and sports enthusiasts to experience our city and engage with local businesses will contribute an estimated $4.2 million to Greensboro's local economy, underscoring our mission to increase tourism and support economic development in Guilford County."
Additional details will be shared as they become available.
City of Greensboro, NC published this content on March 10, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 10, 2026 at 18:10 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]