Norway to set up World Cup base camp at UNC Greensboro

The Norwegian National Football Team has chosen the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) as its official training base for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the squad due to arrive on June 2nd ahead of the tournament's June 11th kick-off.

Greensboro was selected after Norway evaluated eight different host cities, submitting the Americans as their first preference in a lottery process — and getting exactly what they asked for. Norwegian officials cited UNCG's facilities, the city's hospitality, its proximity to the airport, and a preference for a base near nature over a busy city centre as the key deciding factors.

The draw, naturally, is not just the facilities. Erling Haaland — Manchester City's prolific striker and one of the most recognisable footballers on the planet — will be among those training on UNCG's pitches this summer, a fact that has local leaders excited about the global spotlight it brings.

"The entire world is going to be watching the games, and having the Norwegian football team here is just icing on the cake," said Greensboro Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter.