{"id":3993,"date":"2026-04-08T23:22:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T23:22:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/3993\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T23:22:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T23:22:08","slug":"bentley-university-preps-to-host-team-france-fifa-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/3993\/","title":{"rendered":"Bentley University Preps To Host Team France FIFA Practices"},"content":{"rendered":"

WALTHAM, Mass.\u00a0(WBZ\u00a0NewsRadio<\/a>)\u00a0\u2014 The athletic staff at Bentley University has been working nonstop as they prepare to host practices for Team France ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n

The Waltham-based college was hand-picked by the French national team back in March, based on high-quality equipment and field conditions, and proximity to Foxborough\u2019s Gillette Stadium, where several World Cup matches will take place.<\/p>\n

The French team will have full access to the school’s athletic facilities, and Athletic Director Vaughn Williams said it\u2019s been all hands on deck to prepare for the team’s arrival.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re excited to have them. They\u2019ll move in, they\u2019ll put their logos on things, and so on,\u201d said Williams. \u201cThey\u2019ll use the lockers we have over here, bathrooms. We have everything in this space.\u201d<\/p>\n

Williams said most of the focus has been on preparing the all-grass field, and everything is up to FIFA requirements.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll use [the field] for goalie practice, some of their sports performances, all those types of things, getting those players ready,\u201d said Williams. \u201cWe have to have a certain requirement we have to meet, certain equipment that we have to use, and for elements to make sure it\u2019s playable the way it needs to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Williams said keeping the plans under wraps was the hardest part, as he had over 100 people trying to get more information on the French team\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n

Once announced, many students were pleasantly surprised, like Sophomore soccer player Sydney Deroche.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt first, I didn\u2019t believe it,\u201d said Deroche. \u201cSeeing people post about it and hearing about it, it\u2019s just a surreal feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n

Team France is scheduled to begin practice at Bentley University on June 11, and their first match at Gillette against Norway is on June 26.<\/p>\n

WBZ\u00a0NewsRadio\u2019s\u00a0Jay Willett (@JayWillettWBZ<\/a>) reports.<\/p>\n