BOCA RATON, FL — Boca Raton will have a local role in FIFA World Cup 2026 as the team base camp community for the Curaçao Men’s National Team, city officials announced.
The Curaçao team, known as the Blue Wave, selected Florida Atlantic University’s sports facilities in Boca Raton as its training base during the tournament’s group stage, according to the City of Boca Raton. The designation means Boca Raton will host the team’s training operations, though tournament matches will be played in official match host cities, including nearby Miami.
FIFA World Cup 2026 runs from June 11 through July 19 and will feature 104 matches across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Boca Raton is one of 48 Team Base Camp Training Sites selected to support participating national teams during the tournament. City officials said players, coaches, staff and supporters are expected to be in the area while Curaçao uses FAU as its “home away from home.”
Curaçao is making its first FIFA World Cup appearance. The Caribbean island nation, with a population of about 150,000, has been described by the city as the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament.
Mayor Andy Thomson said Boca Raton is honored to welcome the Curaçao national team and said the selection highlights the city and FAU’s facilities on a global stage.
“This is a unique opportunity for residents and visitors to experience the excitement of the tournament and share our community’s hospitality with Team Curaçao,” Thomson said in the city announcement.
The city is also planning a free public watch party as part of its Summer in the City series.
Goals & Good Times: FIFA World Cup 2026 Watch Party is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, at Mizner Park Amphitheater. Doors open at 4 p.m., and the match begins at 5 p.m. The event will feature food, entertainment and a live viewing of the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match taking place in Miami.
The watch party is part of Boca Raton’s free Summer in the City concert series at Mizner Park Amphitheater.
Other listed Summer in the City events include a Billy Joel tribute by Turnstiles on June 12, the FAU Summer Concert Band on June 21, an Eagles tribute by The Long Run on June 26, a Bob Marley tribute by Yvad & The Legal Roots on July 17, a screening of Hamilton on July 24, Peace of Woodstock Band on July 31 and Battle of the Bands on August 7.
The city says all tribute concerts and Battle of the Bands events are free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets, with limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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