Germany Chooses North Carolina Hotel as Their Base

The German Football Association (DFB) officially announced on Friday that the national men’s team will establish their base camp at the Graylyn Estate Hotel in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This decision comes as the team prepares for their pursuit of a fifth World Cup title.

Details About Graylyn Estate Hotel

The Graylyn Estate Hotel, reminiscent of a castle, was constructed nearly a century ago by a tobacco magnate. For the duration of the World Cup, the DFB has secured all 85 rooms within the facility.

Proximity to Training Facilities

Located just 10 minutes by bike from the team’s training pitches, Graylyn Estate offers a strategic advantage. The three grass pitches at Wake Forest University will serve as the training grounds for the German squad.

Coaching Perspectives

Germany’s head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, visited the hotel along with sporting director Rudi Völler and managing director Andreas Rettig in early December. Reflecting on the base choice, Nagelsmann expressed confidence that Graylyn Estate is an ideal location for their 2026 World Cup campaign.

• Distance management: Nagelsmann emphasized the need to limit travel during training due to vast distances across the USA.
• Similarity to past facilities: He noted similarities to the team’s ‘Home Ground’ in Herzogenaurach, used during the Euro 2024.

Rettig also shared his views, stating that the chosen location provides not only the perfect training environment but also peace and quiet for the team’s preparation.

The Significance of Base Camp Selection

Choosing the right base camp has historically been crucial for Germany’s success in tournaments. The Campo Bahia facility, built for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, was seen as a pivotal factor in securing the championship. In contrast, the locations selected for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were criticized after the team performed poorly and did not progress past the group stages.

Upcoming Schedule

The German national team is scheduled to travel to the United States on June 2. They will play their final pre-World Cup friendly against the United States at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 6. Germany’s World Cup campaign will commence on June 14 against Curacao in Houston, followed by matches against Ivory Coast in Toronto on June 20 and Ecuador in East Rutherford on June 25.