SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WPRI) -- Bryant University, the only World Cup base camp in Rhode Island, will be the home away from home for the Ghana Men's National Team this summer while they compete in the world's biggest soccer tournament.
12 News got to take a tour of the facilities Team Ghana will be using to prepare for this year's World Cup.
"There will be six billion eyes watching these games," said William Smith, Bryant's Vice President of Athletics and Recreation. The university is "just so excited to be a part of it," he continued.
According to Smith, Ghana was one of four countries that toured Bryant's facilities, which include a grass field, training room and team film room.
Along with serving as a base camp for Team Ghana, Bryant will also function as a venue-specific site once the group stage is over. That means teams playing in Foxboro during the Round of 32 and quarterfinals will be able to practice at Bryant.
The Bryant football team will be practicing during this period, but Smith said the football team's schedule will work around the World Cup teams' needs.
Questions remain about activities like open practice and other fan experiences, but the university says it's all in the works, with opportunities at the Smithfield campus and in Providence.
"We want to make sure that we're doing everything we can to make this a great experience for Team Ghana and, of course, all their fans, which are traveling with them as well," Smith said.
When it comes to security and funding, the town that hosts the World Cup's "Boston Stadium" has already made headlines. Foxboro has said it won't approve the entertainment license for Gillette Stadium if $7.8 million in security funds are not guaranteed by March 17.
The Boston 26 host committee, which is in charge of security, has not responded to 12 News' request for an update on the federal funding it has applied for to cover costs.
Meanwhile, Bryant University says security for the players using their facilities is a top priority. There's only one way to get in and out of the campus, and extra fencing will be installed around the training field, according to Smith.
"I wouldn't say that we're completely set. We're beginning the process right now," Smith said.
"We'll be having weekly meetings leading up to Ghana coming on campus. And in those meetings, we're going to be working through all the details that have to do with security."
Although there's lots of excitement in Smithfield, Town Council President John Tassoni says there are still many questions when it comes to open practices and how they might affect the town's operations.
"As far as security, it's having more police officers, fire and rescue there when they do practice because there's going to be a lot of obviously spectators there so we have to be concerned about that," Tassoni said. "I think the funding will come along. I just wish they would move a little faster."
A team from Bryant will be traveling to Ghana in April to finalize plans.