Full Breakdown
Spain and Iraq Choose U.S. Base Camps for 2026 World Cup
6/15/2026, 11:45:55 PM
Base Camp Selections
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Spain chose the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Iraq opted for the Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Baylor, a 600-acre boarding academy on the Tennessee River, provides two grass pitches, an indoor tennis hall repurposed as a media center, and a new irrigation system that earned a “grade A” from FIFA inspectors. The Greenbrier, in a town of about 2,100, raised Iraqi flags alongside the Stars and Stripes, creating a “home-from-home” base.
Community Engagement
In Chattanooga, 8-year-old Beckham waited three hours on a fence, clutching a note to Pedri and Lamine Yamal that read, “I love you and I look up to you…Thanks for coming to my city.” His father, Jaxon McClure, now coaches hundreds of children. Savannah Lahey of Small Batch Beer Co. said the German team “makes people feel at home, even when they’re not home.” Skip Schwartz, former Baylor player and board trustee, helped lay the campus field and was amazed by Spain’s training there. Fans such as Tina Ankar and midfielder Heath Techasiriwan pledged to cheer for Spain throughout the tournament.
Data and Statistics
Tickets to watch Spain practice were allocated by lottery: 25,000 entries for 1,000 seats. Baylor’s 600-acre campus hosts three pitches and a youth program serving about 850 children. White Sulphur Springs has 2,117 residents; surrounding area has fewer than 3,000. Iraq’s training was delayed a thunderstorm, with temperatures near 23 °C and 86 % humidity.
Official Statements
Sam Green said FIFA inspectors gave Baylor marks for grass, drainage and irrigation. Greenbrier staff reported Iraqi flags raised alongside U.S. flags. Midfielder Ahmed Qasem called travel and climate shift “new things for everyone,” noting preparations stayed on schedule despite a half-hour weather delay.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I love you and I look up to you,” — Beckham, age 8
- “It’s just fun to see everyone start to care about something they didn’t care about before,” — Savannah Lahey, Small Batch Beer Co. manager
- “If somebody had told me then that 40 years later Spain would be using this campus as the foundation for a World Cup, I wouldn’t even have tried to fathom it,” — Skip Schwartz, Baylor board trustee
- “Without a doubt, I’m cheering for Spain,” — Tina Ankar, first-generation Palestinian American
Conflicting Reports
Sources do not reveal ticket sales for Iraq’s public sessions, nor provide statements from Iraqi Football Association; itineraries for the remainder of Iraq’s camp remain unspecified.
What’s Next
Spain will play its group-stage matches in Atlanta, while Iraq opens in Boston. Both squads will continue daily training at their U.S. bases through the first two weeks, offering local fan interaction.
