Photo: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP / Getty Images
The Ivory Coast national soccer team has selected Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, as its training base for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team is scheduled to arrive in June, with preparations at the stadium starting in mid-May. During the tournament, Ivory Coast will play two matches in Philadelphia, taking advantage of the proximity to their training site in Chester.
Subaru Park officials are exploring opportunities for the public to watch the team's practice sessions, offering fans a chance to see the players up close. The World Cup, which will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, is set to be a grand event spread across three countries. Philadelphia will host six matches, including a Round of 16 match on July 4, coinciding with the 250th Anniversary Celebration of the United States, as reported by Philadelphia Soccer 2026.
Ivory Coast will compete in Group E, with their group-stage matches taking place at various locations, including Philadelphia. The team learned their group-stage opponents during the World Cup draw held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on December 5, 2025. For more information on the World Cup schedule and coverage, fans can visit FOX Sports.
As the tournament approaches, excitement builds for the Ivory Coast team and soccer fans worldwide. The selection of Chester as a training site underscores the area's growing importance in the soccer community.