Democratic Republic of Congo sets World Cup base camp in Houston

The Central African team will live and practice at a Houston training facility as something of a home away from home during the World Cup.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 5:36pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a soccer match or training session, with players and the field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant colors like blue, red, and yellow, conceptually representing the Democratic Republic of Congo national team's preparations in Houston for the 2026 World Cup.The Democratic Republic of Congo national team's World Cup base camp in Houston will serve as a home away from home, where they can focus, prepare, and build momentum for their historic tournament run.Houston Today

The Democratic Republic of Congo's national soccer team, known as Les Léopards, will set up its base camp in Houston for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team will train at a facility designated as the 'Houston Training Centre' throughout the tournament, serving as their primary training and operations hub.

Why it matters

Securing a World Cup base camp is a significant milestone for Houston as it prepares to host multiple matches during the 2026 tournament. The announcement highlights Houston's growing reputation as a premier sports destination and its ability to accommodate the needs of international teams.

The details

According to the Houston host committee, the DR Congo team will live and practice at the Houston Training Centre, which will undergo renovations to meet international FIFA standards. The host committee will also install a grass pitch at NRG Stadium, which will be temporarily renamed 'Houston Stadium' for the World Cup matches.

  • The 2026 World Cup begins on June 11 in Mexico City.
  • DR Congo will play a match against Portugal on June 17 in Houston.
  • Saudi Arabia, which will play a match in Houston on June 26, will have its home base in Austin.

The players

Democratic Republic of Congo

The national soccer team of the Democratic Republic of Congo, also known as Les Léopards.

Chris Canetti

The president of the Houston host committee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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What they’re saying

“Welcoming the Democratic Republic of Congo to Houston for their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey is something we celebrate alongside their players, staff, and supporters around the globe. We're honored to provide a home base where they can focus, prepare, and build momentum as they chase success in this historic tournament.”

— Chris Canetti, President, Houston host committee

What’s next

The Houston host committee will continue to prepare the Houston Training Centre and NRG Stadium to meet FIFA's standards for hosting World Cup matches. They will also work on the 'Green Corridor' project to connect the fan festival area in East Downtown to the stadium.

The takeaway

Houston's selection as the base camp for the Democratic Republic of Congo's national soccer team is a testament to the city's growing reputation as a premier sports destination. The investment in infrastructure and transportation improvements will not only benefit the World Cup but also leave a lasting impact on the local community.