It’s official. The Oakland Roots and Soul [1] training facility at Harbor Bay Business Park will serve as a Team Base Camp (TBC) for FIFA World Cup 26, which will take place June 11 to July 29 next year. TBCs are the facilities and hotels that will be the “home away from home” for each of the competing national teams, their delegations, media and broadcast, and fans.
[2]This prestigious designation positions Alameda to host one of the world’s national teams as they prepare for the prestigious tournament. National teams will select their TBC after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw on December 5. The World Cup will feature 48 teams and 104 matches in 16 host cities throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
“Alameda is the perfect location for a national team to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup games,” said Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft. “We are excited to welcome talented players and passionate fans to the Bay Area, which is currently experiencing a renaissance of business growth and revitalized retail and entertainment offerings. This event will shine a global spotlight on our beautiful waterfront community and the entire region.”
Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara is set to host six matches from June 13 to July 1, 2026.
As previously reported by Karin K. Jensen in the Alameda Post [4], financial support for hosting a FIFA World Cup team was unanimously authorized by City Council on July 15, in the form of a Transient Occupancy Tax (also known as a hotel tax) sharing agreement with the Roots and Soul in an amount not to exceed $150,000. Both Council and public commenters strongly supported this opportunity to showcase Alameda and support local businesses.
With more than 200 countries participating in qualification rounds and an estimated viewership of 6 billion people tuning in to watch the finals, FIFA World Cup 26 presents a substantial economic opportunity, the Post report stated. FIFA estimates a team base camp could attract 60,000 to 80,000 visitors and 30,000 hotel nights, significantly boosting local hotel and sales tax revenue.