WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. \u2014\u00a0Excitement is growing among soccer fans of all ages as we inch closer to the start of the Men\u2019s 2026 FIFA World Cup. Three competing nations will hold their base camps in North Carolina. The German National Team is stationed in Winston-Salem and held an open practice Monday night.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
\u00a0German Men’s National Team hosted an open practice at Spry Stadium on Monday night
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\u00a0120 soccer players from North Carolina Rush Triad attended the training session
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\u00a0NCYSA: More than 75,000 statewide participants
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\u00a0NCYSA: $1 million economic impact for each club hosted tournament, players spend $7 million annually on equipment<\/p>\n
\u201cI love most of these players,\u201d said Liam Barlow, a soccer player for North Carolina Rush Triad. \u201cThis is probably going to be a high moment in my life for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Liam Barlow and dozens of his fellow athletes with North Carolina Rush Triad<\/a>, were among the thousands of soccer fans to visit German Men\u2019s National Team\u2019s practice in Winston-Salem Monday night. It gave them the chance to see stars from overseas up close and under the lights.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s cool, I mean, just having memories and making memories with your friends, you know,\u201d said Barlow. \u201cIt’s really fun and exciting and surreal.”<\/p>\n The nonprofit offers recreation and competitive divisions for kids ages 3 to 19.There\u2019s nearly 600 participants in Winston-Salem, with other branches across the state. It\u2019s one of several youth soccer organizations looking to build off the growing interest in the sport.\u00a0<\/p>\n The North Carolina Youth Soccer Association is celebrating its 50th year in 2026. A 2025 report<\/a> determined that more than 75,000 players participate in the program. It also said that when a club hosts a tournament, it has a $1 million economic impact on local communities, while players spend $7 million annually on equipment like cleats, uniforms and soccer balls.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI think in the long run, when you host events like this in the country, it’s going to get people excited and want to get involved and learn the game,\u201d said Kacy Charlton, North Carolina Rush Triad.\u00a0<\/p>\n Charlton is the director of coaching and operations for North Carolina Rush Triad. He said this was an unbelievable experience and a learning moment for his players.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a top-five, top-ten moment in terms of soccer, not only for me, but for the club and for the community,\u201d said Charlton. \u201cIf I was a 10-year-old kid, this is where I would want to be, to be inspired to keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n Team Norway will hold an open training session at UNC Greensboro on Wednesday. Germany will kick off its World Cup run this Sunday against Curacao.\u00a0<\/p>\n Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc<\/a> for news and other happenings across North Carolina<\/p>\n