The New Zealand men’s national soccer team, often referred to as the All Whites, has selected San Diego as their base for training ahead of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. This prestigious tournament is set to commence on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City. The team will be utilizing Torero Stadium at the University of San Diego for their preparations, marking a significant step in their journey to the global stage.
Head coach Darren Bazeley confirmed the decision, explaining that the selection process involved extensive research of multiple venues along the West Coast. “We went to the draw in early December and then myself and Ken Lynch went around looking at a lot of base camps, training grounds and hotels,” Bazeley stated. “San Diego was high up on our wanted list and we got it. It’s somewhere we’re really comfortable going to and somewhere we really wanted to be.”
Training Grounds and Accommodations
San Diego emerged as the preferred option after the team considered several other cities, including Portland, Seattle, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, Irvine, and Vancouver. Under FIFA guidelines, national teams must select their base camps based on their assigned clusters, with the highest-ranked team gaining priority if two countries are interested in the same venue. Currently, New Zealand holds a ranking of 86th, the lowest among all teams participating in the tournament.
Bazeley emphasized the importance of securing quality training facilities and accommodations. The partnership with Bartell Hotels, which operates eight hotel properties near Torero Stadium, is expected to provide the team with necessary amenities and comfort during their stay. “It was important that we got a good training ground and a good hotel that gave us the sort of spaces in the hotel that we needed,” he added.
Connections to San Diego
New Zealand has a history with San Diego, having achieved a notable victory against the United States in the 1995 America’s Cup, where they triumphed with a 5-0 win off Point Loma. Additionally, the city has connections to New Zealand rugby, with the Legion, a Major League Rugby team, previously playing at Torero Stadium. The Legion featured star player Ma’a Nonu, who is celebrated for his contributions to the New Zealand rugby team, the All Blacks.
“It’s great to connect with something. I think wherever we go we are always looking for where’s the Kiwi story here,” Bazeley remarked. “We do that with people and with places. I like to go somewhere that has got some connection to New Zealand in a sporting moment.”
As the All Whites prepare for their World Cup journey, it remains to be seen whether they will host any open training sessions for local fans, with dates yet to be announced. The team’s focus will be on maximizing their training in San Diego as they aim for success at the World Cup.
