The Black Stars of Ghana have selected Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island, as their official training base and camp location for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to a report by NBC 10 News in the United States.
The university’s state-of-the-art athletic facilities—including football pitches, gymnasiums, recovery centres, and accommodation—will serve as the team’s home during the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The report notes that Ocean State 2026—the local organising committee responsible for Rhode Island’s World Cup preparations—will formally confirm Ghana’s choice of Bryant University during a scheduled press conference next week. The venue was included in FIFA’s official Base Camp Brochure after rigorous inspections, assessments, and site visits by the world governing body to ensure compliance with elite-team requirements such as training pitch quality, security, privacy, medical facilities, and proximity to match venues.
Ghana qualified for the 2026 World Cup following a strong performance in CAF qualifying and have been drawn in Group B alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. The Black Stars’ group-stage fixtures are as follows:
June 17, 2026: Ghana vs Panama
June 23, 2026: Ghana vs England
June 27, 2026: Ghana vs Croatia
Head coach Otto Addo is expected to begin final preparations early. The squad will assemble in March 2026 for a pair of high-profile international friendlies against Austria and Germany, providing valuable tests against European opposition. A further preparatory match against co-hosts Mexico is scheduled for May 2026, allowing the team to fine-tune tactics, fitness, and cohesion in the lead-up to the global showpiece.
Bryant University, a private institution known for its Division I athletics programmes, has hosted international teams and events in the past and is strategically located in the Northeast United States—offering good connectivity to potential match venues across the host countries. The choice reflects Ghana’s focus on optimal training conditions, recovery support, and a low-distraction environment to maximise performance.
The Black Stars last appeared at the World Cup in 2022 in Qatar, where they reached the group stage. Qualification for 2026 marks a return to football’s biggest stage after missing 2018, and the team will aim to build on their strong qualifying campaign under Otto Addo.
Further details on the camp logistics, arrival timeline, and additional pre-tournament plans are expected following next week’s official confirmation by Ocean State 2026 and FIFA. Ghanaian fans and stakeholders have welcomed the announcement as a sign of serious preparation for what could be a landmark tournament for the Black Stars.
