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 – bringing one of the world’s premier soccer programs to the Triad and placing Winston-Salem on an international stage.

As part of the partnership, the German team will reside at The Graylyn Estate and train at Wake Forest’s W. Dennie Spry Soccer Stadium, one of the nation’s premier collegiate soccer facilities. Together, Wake Forest and Graylyn will provide world-class training infrastructure and accommodations as the four-time World Cup champions prepare for and compete in one of the world’s premier global sporting events.

“Wake Forest University is truly honored to host the German Men’s National Team as its official training base for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Wake Forest University President Susan R. Wente said. 

“We are eager to welcome one of the world’s premier soccer teams to Winston-Salem, our Triad community, and to Wake Forest’s W. Dennie Spry Soccer Stadium – one of the top soccer facilities in the nation, and to The Graylyn Estate – one of the nation’s most historic and highly sought-after boutique hotels. This global partnership reinforces our dedication to support a vibrant, connected region, and we are enthusiastic about the possibilities of making the World Cup experience available to our community.”

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.

Germany’s selection of Winston-Salem reflects the region’s growing reputation as a destination capable of hosting elite international events. The partnership is expected to generate international visibility, stimulate economic activity, and foster meaningful community engagement, while showcasing the strength of collaboration between Wake Forest, local leaders, and statewide partners.

Germany selected Wake Forest as its host training site due to its thriving collegiate environment, state-of-the-art athletics facilities, and reputation as one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. Germany also chose The Graylyn Estate as the team’s base camp due to its national prominence as a premier boutique hotel and its secluded, historic 55-acre setting, which offers the privacy, focus, and comfort required at the highest level of international competition. Its proximity to Wake Forest’s athletics facilities further positioned Winston-Salem as an ideal home base throughout the tournament.

“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.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Germany is scheduled to open group play on June 14 at the Houston stadium, followed by matches at the Toronto stadium on June 20 and at the New York New Jersey stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on June 25. The World Cup Final will be held July 19 in New Jersey.

This global partnership underscores Wake Forest’s strategic role in delivering community impact for Winston-Salem, the Triad, and the state of North Carolina. The initiative is supported through collaboration with key partners, including the City of Winston-Salem, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Greater Winston-Salem, Inc., Visit North Carolina, and Visit Winston-Salem.

More information about a community engagement event with the team upon their arrival in Winston-Salem and the fan experience in general will be shared at a later date. For more information, please visit the University’s website.

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What They’re Saying

Wake Forest University President Dr. Susan R. Wente

“Wake Forest University is truly honored to host the German Men’s National Team as its official training base for the FIFA World Cup 2026. We are eager to welcome one of the world’s premier soccer teams to Winston-Salem, our Triad community, and to Wake Forest’s Spry Soccer Stadium – one of the top soccer facilities in the nation, and to The Graylyn Estate – one of the nation’s most historic and highly sought-after boutique hotels. This global partnership reinforces our dedication to support a vibrant, connected region, and we are enthusiastic about the possibilities of making the World Cup experience available to our community.”

Wake Forest University Vice President, Hospitality and Auxiliary Services John Wise

“Hosting Team Germany is a tremendous honor and highlight for Wake Forest and The Graylyn Estate. Our selection as their North American base validates both our university’s global standing and the world-class hospitality delivered by the staff of The Graylyn Estate. We are excited about this partnership and the memorable experiences it will offer Wake Forest and our Winston-Salem community.”

Wake Forest University Vice President and Director of Athletics John Currie

“Wake Forest is proud to partner with Winston-Salem to serve as the German Men’s National Team’s home base during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosting a four-time World Cup champion reflects the strength of our University soccer culture, which is truly world-class — most recently highlighted by our women’s program finishing as the 2024 NCAA runner-up and our men’s team capturing the 2024 ACC Championship. Under the leadership of Tony da Luz and Bobby Muuss, our programs have established a standard of excellence for Demon Deacon student-athletes and fostered deep engagement with the local soccer community, including a strong tradition of outstanding youth camps that will continue this summer. This is another winning moment for Wake Forest and Winston-Salem, and I am deeply grateful for the collaboration that made it happen!”

Wake Forest University Head Men’s Soccer Coach Bobby Muuss

“Wake Forest and Winston-Salem being selected as the temporary home for a national powerhouse like Germany preparing for the World Cup is an incredible honor for our facilities, our university and our entire city. To welcome a World Cup-bound team and to play even a small role in their preparation is something our players, coaches and fans should be proud of. It puts a global spotlight on our campus and our city in a truly special way.”

Wake Forest University Head Women’s Soccer Coach Tony da Luz

“Hosting the German men’s national team as they prepare for the World Cup is an honor and will bring immeasurable exposure to Wake Forest University and Winston-Salem. We’ve always promoted Spry Soccer Stadium as a world-class soccer facility, and this selection affirms that statement. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to share Wake Forest with the world.”

German Men’s National Team Head Coach Julian Nagelsmann 

“With our Home Ground at the adidas headquarters in Herzogenaurach, we have a place that allows the team to come together regularly while still providing the peace and privacy we need. We have found the same conditions here at The Graylyn Estate. From a coaching and team perspective, the most important factor is the proximity to the training pitches. We have three football fields in excellent condition that meet all of our sporting requirements, and they can be reached on foot or by bike in less than ten minutes. That is a decisive advantage. Given the vast distances across the United States, Canada and Mexico, we already have to cover long stretches when traveling, so we want to avoid additional journeys in our daily training routine. With this base camp, we have achieved exactly that.

“The cooperation with Wake Forest University is exceptional. Many of the things we need are already available on site, so we don’t have to bring everything from Germany. That makes logistics much easier. We have outstanding conditions here, both on the pitch and beyond.”

Deutscher Fussball-Bund Managing Director of Sport Andreas Rettig 

“With this Team Base Camp, we are creating the best possible conditions for a successful tournament. The environment is ideal — both in sporting and infrastructural terms. The team behind the team at the DFB has, with great precision and passion, identified the perfect base camp for us through an extensive process across the three host nations. Our close and constructive cooperation with FIFA, as well as with the local authorities, Wake Forest University and the hotel management, has played a key role in making this possible. Thanks to a favorable draw, we were able to implement our preferred scenario.”

City of Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines

“Hosting the German Men’s National Team is a big opportunity for the city of Winston-Salem to showcase our renowned hospitality, vibrant city, and first-class facilities. We are proud to welcome the team, their families, journalists, and fans who will call our beautiful city home during the World Cup. We encourage all visitors to enjoy our wonderful hotels, restaurants, and shops during their visit!”

Visit Winston-Salem President and CEO Stephanie Pace Brown 

“Welcoming the German national team to train at Wake Forest is an extraordinary honor for Winston-Salem and a proud moment for our community. Their presence showcases our city on the global stage and reflects the warm hospitality and passion for sports that define this destination.”

Greater Winston-Salem Inc. President and CEO Mark Owens

“We are excited for the German men’s national team and their guests to get to explore Winston-Salem and feel that this is their ‘home away from home’ during the World Cup. We are proud to be the host city for DFB and to further the strong business relationship between North Carolina and Germany. This opportunity brings Winston-Salem to the world’s largest sporting event, and we are eager to showcase our city.”

Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina and Visit North Carolina CEO Chris Chung

“North Carolina is a destination for businesses and tourists from around the world, and the German national team’s decision to establish its base in Winston-Salem this summer is another great endorsement of our state. This selection followed a thorough evaluation process, and it reflects the high standard of quality North Carolina offers — from our world-class facilities and hospitality to our global connectivity, including daily direct air service that positions Germany as one of our top international markets for visitation. We’re proud to welcome a team known for its discipline and excellence as the world’s attention turns to the 2026 World Cup.”

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Media Information

U.S. and international news media will be given access by the Deutscher Fusball-Bund’s (DFB) press office, the sports organization managing the men’s German National Soccer Team. For more information, visit https://www.dfb.de/.

DFB Media Contacts

• Media Officer, Men’s National Team
  Franziska Wülle – franziska.wuelle@dfb.de

• Point of Contact, International Media
  Ruth Pintner – ruth.pintner@dfb.de

• Point of Contact, Media Operations
  Anneke von der Ecken – anneke-sophie.von-der-ecken@dfb.de

About Wake Forest University

Wake Forest University is known for its distinctive combination of world-class academics, unrivaled campus experience, intimate learning environment and Power 4 athletics in a top-growing metro market. A Charter member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Demon Deacons have won 59 conference titles and are one of nine ACC schools to win 11 or more national championships. Additionally, with 1.7 million people within 30 miles of campus, Wake Forest anchors the Winston-Salem and Triad market, which ranks as ESPN’s seventh-best nationally from a viewership perspective.

Wake Forest’s comprehensive excellence includes its highly regarded school of medicine, business school, law school, innovative department of engineering and its nationally renowned Program for Leadership and Character, which prepares students to live with purpose, integrity and courage. Additionally, Wake Forest has campuses across Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Washington, D.C. – providing many academic offerings to students from across the nation and around the world.

Learn more about Wake Forest University at wfu.edu and at GoDeacs.com.

About The Graylyn Estate

The Graylyn Estate features 85 historic and modern guest rooms located throughout its beautiful 55-acre grounds. Originally built in 1932, the estate was once the private residence of Mr. Bowman and Mrs. Nathalie Bowman Gray. Bowman, the son of Wachovia founder James A. Gray Sr., served as President and CEO of RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company. Together, Bowman and Nathalie created their dream home, Graylyn, with each room inspired by their travels abroad.

In 1972, the property was donated to Wake Forest University by the family. After serving as student dorms, the property was transformed into a boutique hotel in 1984. Guests at Graylyn experience legendary hospitality through the staff’s commitment to exceptional service, ensuring exquisite and unforgettable experiences. Graylyn has received national recognition as a top hotel in the United States, having been honored as a top 5 boutique hotel in the country for 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Learn more about The Graylyn Estate at graylyn.com.