Thousands of fans gathered at Great Park on Monday to get a glimpse at the U.S. Men's National Team ahead of Friday's opener against Paraguay.
Monday, June 8, 2026 10:24PMThe start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is just a few days away at SoFi Stadium, and the U.S. Men's National Team has arrived in Southern California.on Monday, practicing for their opening round match against Paraguay.
Approximately 5,500 fans showed up to the park to watch Monday's practice after winning tickets in a lottery system. Monday's practice at Great Park was the only practice open to the public, so the next time fans will get a chance to see the team will be during their first game on Friday in Inglewood.
World Cup 2026: Large-scale security operation planned for matches at SoFi Stadium As thousands of soccer fans prepare for the World Cup games in Southern California, officials are outlining efforts to keep attendees safe. Making the facility the team's home away from home has been years in the making.
Irvine was selected by FIFA, and for the past couple of years, the Great Park and the city of Irvine were doing tours with different countries, but it wasn't until January of 2026 that they found out the U.S. Men's Soccer team had picked them.
"It's a terrific opportunity, of course, for all of us, and it's, I think, emblematic of what it means to live together in a sense of community and for the moment, at least, all be on the same team, pulling in the same direction. So it's very meaningful for our community," said Irvine Mayor Larry Agran. Eyewitness News was told that more than 30,000 people entered the lottery system to try to snag two tickets.
"It's just like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We didn't secure tickets at the World Cup. This is the next best thing," said Yorba Linda resident Angela Ortiz.
"We're local Orange Countyans, so to be able to come here and experience it, it's going to be so fun. " The basecamp now becomes the team's home away from home for the next few weeks, and players say the support shown on day one will set the tone for the tournament. "We get to train in an actual stadium with a good pitch. The support that we just pulled up to with all the kids out there is amazing.
But listen, you want to feel like you have a good home base, right? You have a place that you can not have to worry about all the little details off the field. Everything's been taken care of for us," said Tim Ream, the captain of the U.S. Men's National Team. Carlos Sanchez is a local soccer coach in Orange County and says this rare opportunity will inspire young players with big dreams.
"Getting this youth to come out and see these guys train is such an amazing experience for them, and for me as a coach, to see these men come out here and represent us. I think they're going to do extremely well this year. And I'm looking forward to it," Sanchez said.
In addition to the championship soccer stadium at Great Park, there are two other fields and a world-class gym that was built for the team.
Please follow us on Google to support usUnited States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Best bets for Team USA at the World Cup: How far can the United States go?There may not be a trickier team to handicap in the World Cup than the United States.
Read more »
Team Canada Takes Down Team USA in FIBA U18 AmeriCup Title GameMultiple 2027 draft prospects and other coveted recruits were on display in the gold medal game.
Read more »
Top defender Chris Richards goes through full practice with U.S. World Cup team in IrvineChris Richards tore two left ankle ligaments while playing for club team Crystal Palace on May 17.
Read more »
Robert Irvine On Food Network's 'Restaurant Impossible' Reboot: 'There Is No Anger'Robert Irvine says 'there is no anger' over Food Network rebooting 'Restaurant: Impossible' without him.
Read more »