Four-time World Cup Champions Arrive in Winston-Salem on June 8
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 the City of 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 Gralyn 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,” he added.
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.