The U.S. men’s national team’s annual January training camp has been canceled for 2026, confirmed by U.S. Soccer’s vice president, Oguchi Onyewu.

Affectionately referred to as “Camp Cupcake” by U.S. fans, this traditional kickoff to the year for MLS-based members of the USMNT has been a fixture in American soccer for over 25 years.

U.S. Men’s National Team January Camp The U.S. men’s team annual training camp is now on hold. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

While many top European players usually can’t join due to the timing of the camp outside FIFA’s designated windows, it has been a great chance for several legendary players, like Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan, to make their initial appearances in international matches.

This year, several emerging talents including Max Arfsten, Diego Luna, and Jack McGlynn have emerged as strong candidates for the roster ahead of the 2026 World Cup next summer.

Onyewu noted that the January camp has served as a crucial evaluation and integration platform for players, which will now shift to December starting in 2026, to better align with pre-season preparations and player recovery cycles. This transition is pivotal in adapting to the modern soccer calendar.

“Moving the January Camp to December represents the natural next step in our shared commitment to collaboration, player welfare, and the continued advancement of soccer in the United States,” Onyewu stated.