Athletics to Serve as Official Team Base Camp for Senegal Men’s National Soccer Team In Lead Up to FIFA World Cup 2026™
May 19 | General, Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Senegal Men's National Soccer Team, the current Champions of Africa, has selected Rutgers Athletics as its official Team Base Camp in advance of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, to be held June 11–July 19 across 16 Host Cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Senegal, one of Africa's most dynamic and competitive national soccer teams, will utilize Rutgers' world-class training facilities as its preparation hub while competing on soccer's global stage. Rutgers will provide comprehensive training fields, including RWJBarnabas Health Stadium at Yurcak Field, home to its men's and women's soccer programs – conditioning spaces and support services throughout the team's stay.
"We are thrilled to welcome the Senegal National Team to our campus as part of its preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026," said Director of Athletics Keli Zinn. "Rutgers sits at the center of a region with a deep connection to the global game and a passionate soccer community. Hosting a World Cup team reflects the quality of our athletic facilities and emphasizes the role Rutgers and New Jersey will play on the world stage in 2026."
"We are honored to welcome the Senegal National Team to Rutgers University as the team's official training base for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and to be a part of the world's largest global sports event," said Rutgers President William F. Tate IV. "New Jersey is the number one state in the country for soccer interest, and we're excited that the state's flagship university will host these world-class athletes."
Senegal, known as the "Lions of Teranga," features players competing across top leagues in the world. The Senegalese were winners of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January, defeating Morocco, 1-0. Senegal has qualified for the World Cup on four occasions, including 2002, 2018, 2022 and 2026. In 2002, the African nation advanced to the quarterfinals.
About Rutgers Athletics
The Rutgers Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (Rutgers Athletics), comprised of 24 men's and women's varsity sports serving more than 730 student-athletes, is a member of the Big Ten Conference and governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Rutgers is the Birthplace of College Football, hosting the first-ever collegiate matchup on Nov. 6, 1869, a 6-4 victory over Princeton. Rutgers Athletics is uniquely positioned in the nation's largest media market with over seven million television households, along with access to Big Ten Network and its nearly 60 million homes across the U.S. and Canada. Established in 1766, Rutgers University is the State University of New Jersey and eighth-oldest higher education institution in the country. As a premier academic institution, Rutgers is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for all of the latest news and updates. Also visit ScarletKnights.com for additional information on Rutgers Athletics.
Senegal, one of Africa's most dynamic and competitive national soccer teams, will utilize Rutgers' world-class training facilities as its preparation hub while competing on soccer's global stage. Rutgers will provide comprehensive training fields, including RWJBarnabas Health Stadium at Yurcak Field, home to its men's and women's soccer programs – conditioning spaces and support services throughout the team's stay.
"We are thrilled to welcome the Senegal National Team to our campus as part of its preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026," said Director of Athletics Keli Zinn. "Rutgers sits at the center of a region with a deep connection to the global game and a passionate soccer community. Hosting a World Cup team reflects the quality of our athletic facilities and emphasizes the role Rutgers and New Jersey will play on the world stage in 2026."
"We are honored to welcome the Senegal National Team to Rutgers University as the team's official training base for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and to be a part of the world's largest global sports event," said Rutgers President William F. Tate IV. "New Jersey is the number one state in the country for soccer interest, and we're excited that the state's flagship university will host these world-class athletes."
Senegal, known as the "Lions of Teranga," features players competing across top leagues in the world. The Senegalese were winners of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January, defeating Morocco, 1-0. Senegal has qualified for the World Cup on four occasions, including 2002, 2018, 2022 and 2026. In 2002, the African nation advanced to the quarterfinals.
About Rutgers Athletics
The Rutgers Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (Rutgers Athletics), comprised of 24 men's and women's varsity sports serving more than 730 student-athletes, is a member of the Big Ten Conference and governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Rutgers is the Birthplace of College Football, hosting the first-ever collegiate matchup on Nov. 6, 1869, a 6-4 victory over Princeton. Rutgers Athletics is uniquely positioned in the nation's largest media market with over seven million television households, along with access to Big Ten Network and its nearly 60 million homes across the U.S. and Canada. Established in 1766, Rutgers University is the State University of New Jersey and eighth-oldest higher education institution in the country. As a premier academic institution, Rutgers is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for all of the latest news and updates. Also visit ScarletKnights.com for additional information on Rutgers Athletics.
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