The World Cup Is Coming to Palm Beach County

Portugal has selected Palm Beach Gardens as its official training base for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Curaçao will train in Boca Raton. That means some of the world's top soccer talent will be preparing for the biggest tournament in sports right here in Palm Beach County.

While the matches themselves will be played in host cities across North America, teams carefully select where they will train, recover, and prepare before stepping onto the world stage. The fact that Palm Beach County was chosen says a lot about the area and why it continues to attract major events, professional athletes, and visitors from around the world.

Why World Cup Teams Chose Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County offers a combination that is difficult to find elsewhere: excellent sports facilities, year-round outdoor weather, convenient international access, and a lifestyle that appeals to athletes and their teams.

Portugal will train at Gardens North County District Park in Palm Beach Gardens, while Curaçao will use Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton as its training base.

This is not the first time Palm Beach County has attracted world-class sports. Golf has long been part of the area's identity, with professional tournaments, elite training facilities, and some of the most recognized golf communities in the country. The county is also home to major equestrian events, professional tennis tournaments, and year-round recreational sports that draw participants from around the world.

When international teams choose Palm Beach County for an event as significant as the World Cup, it reinforces what many residents already know: this is a place that offers both high-level amenities and an exceptional quality of life.

Living Where Sports Are Part of Everyday Life

One of the things that makes Palm Beach County unique is that many of the places where professionals compete are also places where residents can enjoy everyday life.

Golf is one of the best examples. Communities surrounding PGA National allow residents to live alongside championship golf courses that have hosted some of the sport's biggest names. Nearby, Panther National continues to attract attention as one of the area's premier golf destinations.

Sports are part of daily life throughout Palm Beach County. Wellington is known worldwide for equestrian competition through Wellington International. Tennis fans enjoy the Delray Beach Open each year. Soccer players and families use facilities like Gardens North County District Park throughout the year, including the same fields Portugal will use during its World Cup preparations.

There is also an opportunity for local soccer fans to be part of the excitement. Curaçao is scheduled to host a free public community training session at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton on June 11, giving residents a chance to see a World Cup team prepare up close before the tournament begins.

What makes all of this special is that these experiences are not reserved for visitors. Whether it is golf, tennis, soccer, equestrian sports, boating, or simply enjoying an active outdoor lifestyle, Palm Beach County offers opportunities to participate rather than just watch.

More Than a World Cup Story

The World Cup coming to Palm Beach County is exciting for soccer fans, but it also highlights something bigger.

Palm Beach County continues to attract world-class athletes, international events, and people from around the globe who appreciate an active outdoor lifestyle. From championship golf and international equestrian competition to professional tennis and now World Cup soccer, the area continues to earn recognition on a global stage.

For many people, that is part of what makes Palm Beach County such a great place to call home. The opportunity to enjoy these experiences year-round is not something that happens everywhere.

Thinking about making Palm Beach County home? We'd love to help you explore the communities, neighborhoods, and lifestyles that make this area one of Florida's most sought-after places to live.