South Korea Sets Pre-World Cup Camp in Salt Lake City

National team to announce final squad on May 16 before departing for US training

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:53am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the South Korean national football team's training preparations for the 2026 World Cup, with abstract shapes and planes of red, blue, and gold representing the players, coaches, and facilities.South Korea's national team prepares for the 2026 World Cup with a strategic high-altitude training camp in Salt Lake City, Utah.Salt Lake City Today

South Korea's national football team, led by manager Hong Myung-bo, has finalized preparations for the 2026 World Cup, including confirming a pre-tournament training camp location in Salt Lake City, Utah. The team will train at facilities provided by Real Salt Lake and the University of Utah for approximately two weeks before moving to their group stage base camp in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Why it matters

The strategic selection of Salt Lake City as the pre-World Cup training base is aimed at helping the Korean team acclimatize to high-altitude conditions similar to those they will face during the group stage matches in Guadalajara. This preparation is crucial for the team's performance and success in the tournament.

The details

The Korean Football Association (KFA) emphasized that the Salt Lake City location was chosen due to the city's climate conditions and altitude of approximately 1,460 meters, which is close to the 1,500-meter altitude of Guadalajara. The team will use training facilities and resources provided by Real Salt Lake and the University of Utah. After the US training camp, the national team will travel to Guadalajara six days before their first group stage match on June 5th to finalize preparations and adapt to the local conditions.

  • The final World Cup squad will be announced on May 16th.
  • The national team will depart for the US training camp on May 18th.
  • The team is scheduled to play two friendly matches during the US training camp, with specific opponents and dates to be announced later.

The players

Hong Myung-bo

The manager of the South Korean national football team.

Korean Football Association (KFA)

The governing body of football in South Korea, responsible for the national team's preparations and logistics.

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What they’re saying

“The time difference between South Korea and the US (during the period of the camp, accounting for US Daylight Time) will be 15 hours, aiding in minimizing jet lag.”

— Korean Football Association (KFA)

What’s next

The national team will travel to Guadalajara, Mexico, six days before their first group stage match on June 5th to finalize preparations and adapt to the local conditions.

The takeaway

South Korea's strategic decision to establish their pre-World Cup training camp in Salt Lake City, Utah, demonstrates their commitment to optimal preparation and acclimatization for the 2026 tournament. By training at a similar altitude to their group stage location, the team aims to gain a competitive edge and increase their chances of success in the World Cup.