Germany’s 2026 North Carolina Base: Hotel Confirmed | DW

As ‍the 2026 World cup approaches, the German national ‍football team has selected a unique and historic base for thier campaign: the Graylyn‍ Estate Hotel in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This decision, announced recently, underscores the importance teams place on⁢ creating an optimal environment for success during major tournaments. The ⁢stunning facility, reminiscent of a fairytale castle, boasts a rich history dating back to its construction nearly a⁢ century ago ⁤by a prominent tobacco industry leader.

Key figures from ⁣the German ⁤Football Association (DFB), including head coach Julian Nagelsmann, ‍sporting director Rudi Völler, and managing director Andreas Rettig, personally inspected the estate in early⁤ December following the World Cup draw held in Washington, D.C. The DFB has ⁢secured exclusive use of all 85 rooms throughout the duration of the tournament, ensuring privacy and a focused atmosphere for the team.

Strategic Location &⁢ Training Facilities

A critically important‍ advantage of Graylyn Estate is its proximity to⁤ top-tier training grounds. The hotel is conveniently located just a 10-minute bike ride from the three ⁤grass pitches at Wake Forest University,which will serve as the team’s primary training venue ‍between matches. This minimizes travel time⁣ and allows players to conserve⁢ energy.

“Considering the extensive distances involved in ⁢traveling across the United States, minimizing daily travel for training became a priority,” ‍Nagelsmann stated. “We’ve successfully achieved this with our choice of base‍ camp.” He further noted the ⁢similarities between Graylyn and the team’s established “Home Ground” retreat in herzogenaurach, Germany, utilized during the 2024 European Championship.

Rettig emphasized the‍ ideal conditions offered by the estate