Snapdragon Stadium to Host World Cup Warm-Up Matches

Switzerland vs. Australia and Colombia vs. Jordan friendlies scheduled ahead of 2026 tournament

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:41pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic motion of a soccer match, with overlapping planes of color representing the players, ball, and field of play.Snapdragon Stadium will host crucial World Cup warm-up matches as teams prepare for the global tournament.San Diego Today

Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California will host two international soccer friendly matches in June 2026 as teams prepare for the upcoming World Cup. The matches will feature Switzerland vs. Australia on June 6 and Colombia vs. Jordan on June 7, with all four teams set to compete in the 2026 World Cup taking place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Why it matters

These high-profile friendly matches will give local fans a chance to see world-class international soccer teams in action right before the World Cup, while also allowing the participating squads to acclimate to the climate and facilities they'll experience during the tournament. San Diego is positioning itself as a hub for global football leading up to 2026.

The details

The 'Countdown to '26' matches are being organized by the San Diego Football Club in partnership with Sports San Diego. Tickets are on sale now at SanDiegoFC.com/CountdownTo26. Switzerland and New Zealand have both selected San Diego as their World Cup base camp, while Australia will be headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Colombia's match against Jordan will be their final tune-up before heading to their official basecamp in Guadalajara, Mexico.

  • The Switzerland vs. Australia match will take place on June 6, 2026.
  • The Colombia vs. Jordan match will take place on June 7, 2026.

The players

Snapdragon Stadium

A modern soccer-specific stadium in San Diego, California that will host international friendly matches as teams prepare for the 2026 World Cup.

Switzerland National Team

One of the 32 teams qualified for the 2026 World Cup, Switzerland will use San Diego as their home base for the tournament.

Australia National Team

Also known as the Socceroos, Australia's national team will be based out of the San Francisco Bay Area for the 2026 World Cup.

Colombia National Team

The 13th-ranked team in the FIFA world rankings, Colombia will play their first two World Cup group stage matches in Mexico before their basecamp in Guadalajara.

Jordan National Team

Jordan will play their first two 2026 World Cup group stage matches in Santa Clara, California.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to work with [San Diego Football Club] to bring these matches to our soccer fans throughout the region. Fans from these nations, alongside local fans of the beautiful game, will experience the electric atmosphere of international soccer right here in San Diego. We're thrilled to be hosting these friendlies.”

— Mark Neville, CEO of Sports San Diego

“We are very happy to be able to test against a strong opponent in San Diego exactly one week before our opening World Cup match. The game will take place in a modern MLS stadium, which will give the players an initial feel for the World Cup atmosphere. In addition to its sporting relevance, the match against the strong Australian team is also valuable in helping us adapt to the climatic conditions in the United States.”

— Murat Yakin, Switzerland National Team Head Coach

“We look forward to playing another match in California, which will serve as our FIFA World Cup 2026 home, with our base camp located in the San Francisco Bay Area. As our final friendly before the World Cup, this will be a crucial fixture for the CommBank Socceroos and Head Coach Tony Popovic.”

— Heather Garriock, Executive Director for Football Australia

What’s next

Tickets for the 'Countdown to '26' matches are on sale now at SanDiegoFC.com/CountdownTo26.

The takeaway

San Diego is positioning itself as a hub for global football in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, hosting high-profile international friendly matches that will allow participating teams to acclimate to the facilities and climate they'll experience during the tournament. These matches give local fans a rare chance to see world-class soccer talent in action before the World Cup kicks off.