The Scottish FA has officially confirmed that Steve Clarke and his squad will be based at the home of MLS side Charlotte FC for the duration of the 2026 World Cup.
Following the December draw—which pitted Scotland against Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil—Clarke visited several potential sites across the United States. Ultimately, the Atrium Health Performance Park in East Charlotte emerged as the standout choice to house Scotland’s first World Cup campaign in 28 years.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
The 52,000-square-foot complex, which opened in 2023, is one of the premier soccer facilities in North America. Scotland will have access to:
- Eight professional-grade pitches (both grass and turf).
- A 2,800-square-foot high-performance weight room.
- Dedicated player nutrition cafeterias and recovery suites.
Steve Clarke praised the setup, stating, “Charlotte FC have a top MLS training facility with everything we need. Travel will be an important factor; our base will be convenient for the airport, with flights of around two hours to Boston and Miami.”
The Road to the Group Stage
While the team will train in North Carolina, they will fly out for their Group C fixtures:
- vs Haiti: June 14, Boston (02:00 BST)
- vs Morocco: June 19, Boston (23:00 BST)
- vs Brazil: June 24, Miami (23:00 BST)
Before heading stateside, the Tartan Army have a busy spring schedule with friendlies against Japan (Hampden, March 28) and Ivory Coast (Liverpool, March 31), followed by a final Hampden send-off against Curacao on May 30.
🗣️ TARTAN ARMY DEBATE: IS CHARLOTTE THE RIGHT CHOICE?
The logistics are set, and the countdown to June is well and truly on. We want to hear from you:
- Is Charlotte the ideal “home away from home” for the squad?
- Does the two-hour flight to games give us a competitive edge?
Sound off in the comments below! 🏴🇺🇸
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
