EXCLUSIVE: Royal Spanish Football Federation Arrives in Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN — Exactly 100 days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across North America, the Royal Spanish Football Federation touched down in the Scenic City on Sunday to finalize preparations for what could be a title-defining summer.

A 15-member delegation of Spanish officials toured key sites and inspected Baylor School, which will serve as La Roja’s training base when the tournament begins June 11 on FOX. The visit marked the federation’s first on-ground assessment since selecting Chattanooga over Chicago as its host city.

Sources with direct knowledge of the decision told NewsChannel 9 that Spain’s brain trust weighed proposals from both Midwestern metropolises before concluding that Chattanooga met every logistical, security, and cultural requirement on its checklist. The world’s top-ranked national team is now counting on local fans to adopt them as hometown favorites.

During a walk-through at Baylor, the delegation examined locker rooms, training pitches, and recovery facilities, repeatedly praising both the campus infrastructure and the city’s hospitality. “It’s pretty clear how impressed they are,” said a reporter who accompanied the group.

City planners expect Spanish-themed decorations to begin appearing downtown within weeks, transforming Chattanooga’s core into a mini-Madrid ahead of the squad’s arrival. Merchants and restaurateurs are already brainstorming tapas specials and fan-festival events designed to welcome the European powerhouse.

Spain’s stay in Chattanooga will be brief but high-stakes: the team enters the World Cup as the betting favorite, and every training session at Baylor will be scrutinized by global media. Local tourism officials anticipate a surge of international visitors eager to catch a glimpse of the stars before group-stage matches commence.

For continuing coverage of Spain’s Chattanooga residency, visit NewsChannel9.com and FOXChattanooga.com.