As the 2022 FIFA World Cup approaches, British Broadcasting Corporation has launched an exclusive on-the-ground reporting series that takes football fans behind the scenes of competing nations’ pre-tournament preparation, with a focus on the training facilities built for two leading contenders: England and Argentina.
In the first installment of the series, BBC sport correspondent Will Grant traveled to Kansas City to inspect and test the playing surface that will serve as England’s primary training base when the Three Lions enter camp ahead of their World Cup campaign. England, captained by star striker Harry Kane who is chasing his first major international trophy following the team’s 2018 World Cup semi-final finish and 2020 European Championship runner-up finish, is widely regarded as one of the top contenders to lift the trophy in Qatar.
The on-site report from Kansas City gives fans an early look at the conditions the team will experience as they build match fitness and tactical cohesion ahead of their opening group stage match. The BBC also confirmed that additional reporting from Argentina’s secluded training grounds will follow in coming days, giving supporters of both global football powerhouses unprecedented access to their pre-tournament preparations that are typically closed off to the general public.
For football fans around the world, this behind-the-scenes access builds anticipation for the start of the tournament, offering unique insight into the work that goes into preparing a top national side for the biggest stage in global football.