ð Share this article The Three Lions Explore for World Cup Bases Following Worries of Losing First-Choice Site to Holland. The Football Association has sent scouts to the America this week to evaluate potential facilities for the forthcoming World Cup, amidst increasing worries that their first-choice base could be allocated by the Dutch national team. Tournament Draw Complications Alter Preparations Head coach Thomas Tuchel had previously cleared an FA plan for England to set up camp in Kansas after a warm-up training period in Fort Lauderdale. But, after the recent group stage draw, there are now concerns that the Netherlands, who play their group games in Kansas, will be given priority on the desired facility at Sporting Kansas Cityâa high-performance centre operated by US Soccer. The world governing body assigns training bases according to geographic location and FIFA rankings if there is a dispute, with the draw potentially pitting the FA against the Netherlands and Argentina for bases in the tournament's south-central region. Exploring Alternative Options Given England's group stage matches scheduled to take place in Dallas, Boston, and New Jersey, the FA is now reportedly investigating other locations on the eastern seaboard. The FA started its scouting process for training bases at the start of the year, with Tuchel and technical director John McDermott visiting possible locations during the Club World Cup last summer. In spite of this early preparation, there was always an acceptance that the official tournament draw could drastically change their logistical arrangements. Knockout Stage Travel Strategy The Three Lions face the eighth most arduous group stage draw in terms of mileage. Topping Group L would put England on course for a round of 32 game in Atlanta, followed by possible round of 16 tie in Mexico City. Major Change: The FA may decide to move between venues for the later rounds if England progress, a significant shift from its standard practice of maintaining a single tournament base. FIFA Recommendation: FIFA is understood to be recommending such a flexible approach for the vast 2026 tournament. Once the base camp is finalized, the FA will turn its attention to organizing two friendly matches in Florida at the start of June.