The report says 39 of the 48 qualified teams will base themselves in the US, with seven choosing Mexico and only two settling in Canada.
A few details stand out:
That spread feels revealing. Teams appear to be prioritising reliable facilities, manageable travel links and the kind of settled routine that becomes priceless in a long tournament. In an expanded World Cup, recovery days and logistics could decide as much as tactical tweaks.
The report suggests Mexico will still play an important part, especially for teams looking for a different travel balance or climate profile. Colombia and South Korea are reportedly set for Guadalajara, while Uruguay, Tunisia and South Africa are also among the teams choosing Mexican bases.
The most politically sensitive case appears to be Iran. The update says Tijuana was selected partly to avoid US visa restrictions, making it a reminder that modern tournament planning can be shaped by off-field realities as well as football ones.
The report says Canada will base itself in Vancouver, with Panama in New Tecumseth. That is a smaller hosting role, but not an irrelevant one. In a tournament this vast, even a handful of base locations can shape local atmosphere and preparation patterns.
The next storyline to watch is whether these early choices translate into a competitive edge once fixtures begin. In a World Cup stretched across a continent, where teams sleep and train may become one of the tournament’s first real advantages.