Irvine Celebrates World Cup Soccer

by ICNV Staff

On June 8th, the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team was greeted by thousands of cheering fans as they arrived at the Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium! The Great Park will serve as the team’s official Base Camp Training Site for the duration of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

After evaluating 27 potential training sites for the U.S. Men’s National Team, U.S. Soccer representatives said Irvine stood out as the clear choice.

Tickets to the June 8th community event were required and awarded through a free lottery system, which resulted in 33,000 submissions. The stadium was packed to capacity with 5,500 lucky ticket holders.

During the community event, the team’s head coach Mauricio Pochettino praised the Great Park venue: “The facilities here are more than we expected, and not only the facilities but also the people who are here working. Great facilities and great people are amazing combinations. We are so grateful, and I want to say a big thank you to all of the people who are involved, because the way that they have prepared everything with love, that is the most important thing.”

The team’s captain Tim Ream added: “The support that we just pulled up to with all of the kids out there is amazing! You want to feel like you have a good home base, a place where you don’t have to worry about all of the little details off the field. Everything’s been taken care of for us, and that allows us to focus on what we need to, whether it be in the gym or on the field.”

Mayor Larry Agran noted that the Great Park’s selection as the U.S. Men’s Base Camp Training Site is the culmination of years of hard work and collaboration. “This achievement reflects the dedication, persistence, and excellence of our City staff. The journey began in 2018 with a vision and a commitment to creating opportunities for our community. Today, that vision has become reality. This moment shows what we can accomplish when we come together, invest in our future, and remain focused on the values that unite and strengthen us.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is currently underway and will continue through July 19th across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With 48 teams and 104 matches, this is the largest tournament in World Cup history.