The German Men’s National Team has selected Winston-Salem as its home base for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, choosing Wake Forest University and The Graylyn Estate as its official training site and team headquarters.
Germany is one of the most successful national teams in the history of the sport, having won FIFA World Cup titles in 1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014. The team is led by Coach Julian Nagelsmann, widely regarded as one of the most innovative coaches in international soccer.
“With our Home Ground in Herzogenaurach, we found a place that allows the team to come together regularly while still providing the necessary peace and privacy. We have discovered exactly the same conditions here at Graylyn. From a coaching and team perspective, the most important factor is the proximity to the training pitches,” German Men’s National Team Head Coach Julian Nagelsmann said.
“The cooperation with Wake Forest University is unique. We already find many things available on site and don’t have to bring everything from Germany. That makes logistics much easier. We have outstanding conditions here, both on the pitch and beyond,” he added.