Scotland pick Charlotte FC as World Cup 2026 base camp ahead of USA games

Scotland will train at Charlotte FC’s Atrium Health Performance Park during the 2026 World Cup in the USA.

Charlotte chosen by Clarke When Steve Clarke arrived at Charlotte FC’s training ground, he was greeted by an Englishman, an Irishman, and a Scotsman. The Scotland manager’s search for a World Cup base camp ended in North Carolina, thanks in part to familiar faces inside the club. MLS side Charlotte is led by Dean Smith, a former Aston Villa boss and Clarke’s friend. Clarke’s assistant, Gary Dicker, once played for him at Kilmarnock, and the club’s technical director, Tommy Wilson, was his teammate at St Mirren. The saying ‘it’s not what you know but who you know’ seems to have applied here. ## Nations scout Atrium Health Park While several teams visited the Atrium Health Performance Park, Scotland explored much of the East Coast before settling on Charlotte. The Scots will call this facility home during their return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, facing Haiti and Morocco in Boston and Brazil in Miami. With all three cities just a two-hour flight away, Clarke expressed confidence that the top-tier facilities will give his squad the best possible preparation for the tournament. ## Charlotte praised by Dicker Gary Dicker, who joined Charlotte in 2024 after playing and coaching at Brighton, called the venue a “really good central base.” He pointed out that short flights of an hour or two become routine, adding that the private airport is only 20 minutes away. Dicker also highlighted the city’s suitability for adapting to the heat and humidity Scotland will face in Miami and Boston. “I think the humidity ticks the boxes here as well,” he said. “It’s really hot and humid in the summer, which I think will really help them when they are going to Miami because it’s going to be so, so hot down there.” ## Travel and heat key priorities Steven Naismith, Scotland’s assistant coach and a Sportscene pundit, revealed that balancing travel and humidity was critical in choosing Charlotte. “It’s a travelling World Cup,” he said. “We’ve got two games in Boston, one in Miami, but there’s only a limited amount of facilities around Boston. That was probably the biggest challenge. We’ve done a lot of work seeing a lot of training bases - there’s a lot on offer - but we’re delighted with Charlotte.” ## World-class facilities await Naismith described Charlotte FC’s setup as “world class facilities which are purpose-built for football.” He noted that many other potential bases were built for NFL, basketball, or baseball teams, forcing compromises. “In Charlotte, they’ve got the latest technology and recovery. The layout of these are all very much equipped for what we want, what we expect and what the players want day-to-day at their clubs,” he explained. Dicker added that the club boasts four grass pitches, a full-size astro pitch, a nine-a-side astro pitch, multiple buildings, meeting rooms, an auditorium, gyms, and a canteen. ## Big clubs already use venue Dicker pointed out that Real Madrid and Inter Milan have used Charlotte FC’s facilities, and the club has hosted pre-season camps for four or five top clubs. “We have a decent Scottish connection and I think that helps a lot,” he said. “There’s a comfort there. The gaffer here obviously knows Steve well, I think they know they’ll be looked after quite well. He worked with John McGinn and a few other Scotland players, so having that connection, understanding what teams need and being flexible with it, really helps.” ## Family-friendly surroundings Charlotte offers more than just football amenities; families will find plenty to do during the long stay. Dicker, who lives in the city with his wife and children, called it a fast-growing yet not overly busy place near mountains and the sea. “Even if they do want to go to Disneyland it’s an hour-and-a-half flight to come back and down, it’s not far at all,” he noted. Steven Naismith emphasized the importance of downtime, saying Scotland will not be isolated in a remote facility. “We’re away for a long time, so it was important to get that relaxed element too,” he added. “It was important that we were not isolated in a training facility that’s not in a city, and in Charlotte, there’s a lot for the players to do.” ## Routine and flexibility key Naismith stressed that Clarke’s group will encourage players to maintain their routines, whether it’s family time or shopping. “Each player’s got their own way of working and the manager’s very open to allow that to be the feel around the group,” he said. The setup allows for individual preferences while keeping the squad together in a comfortable, well-equipped environment during the World Cup.