Guadalajara Named Colombia’s Base Camp for the 2026 World Cup

The Colombia national team now knows where it will be based during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. FIFA has confirmed that Los Cafeteros will set up camp in Guadalajara, ruling out the United States as an option for their training and recovery headquarters.

Led by James Rodríguez, Colombia enters the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada with high ambitions. With a competitive squad and hopes of making a deep run, the team is already fine-tuning every logistical detail for what promises to be one of the most demanding World Cups in its history. The decision followed a technical visit by the Colombian Football Federation and head coach Néstor Lorenzo’s staff, who evaluated several Mexican cities before selecting the capital of Jalisco.

Guadalajara received top marks for its sporting infrastructure, air connectivity, and urban logistics, tipping the balance in its favor as Colombia’s base of operations.

Colombia has been drawn into Group K and will play its group-stage matches in three different cities. The team will open its campaign on June 17 against Uzbekistan in Mexico City, followed by a June 23 match in Guadalajara against the winner of the intercontinental playoff.

The group stage will conclude on June 27 with a clash against Portugal in Miami—a match that could determine Colombia’s fate in the tournament.

The choice of Guadalajara is also rooted in sporting considerations. The national team placed particular value on the facilities at Atlas’ AGA Academy, a state-of-the-art complex inaugurated in 2023 featuring six professional pitches, a residential campus, and a sports science and medical center.

In addition, the city offers a key logistical advantage thanks to Guadalajara International Airport, with direct flights to both Mexico City and Miami. This connectivity will ease travel demands during the 2026 World Cup and allow Colombia to focus fully on competing at the highest level.