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Egypt Selects Gonzaga University and City of Spokane as Team Base Camp Training Site for FIFA World Cup 2026™

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Erin Hut, Communications Director, ehut@spokanecity.org

The City of Spokane and Gonzaga University will serve as a Team Base Camp Training Site during FIFA World Cup 2026™ for the seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions Egypt, it was announced today.

Each team participating in FIFA World Cup 2026™ selects a Team Base Camp Training Site where the delegation will be headquartered to prepare for matches, including practice sessions, player workouts, team meetings and staff operations. This "home away from home" is designed to provide a hub where teams will arrive ahead of their first match and will be available for those teams to return to between matches.

Egypt's Schedule for FIFA World Cup 2026™

June 15: Egypt vs. Belgium in Seattle, Wash.

June 21: Egypt vs. New Zealand in Vancouver, BC

June 26: Egypt vs. Iran in Seattle, Wash.

Egypt is one of Africa's most storied footballing nations, highlighted by a record seven Africa Cup of Nations titles. The Pharaohs will make their fourth appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and continue to build on their legacy on the global stage. Led by head coach Hossam Hassan and a talented squad featuring Premier League standout Mohamed Salah, the team enters FIFA World Cup 2026™ with aspirations of advancing deep into the tournament and showcasing the passion and pride of Egyptian football.

Gonzaga University's athletic facilities, located in the heart of Spokane, will provide Egypt with world-class amenities to support elite performance. Luger Field, opened in 2008, is a premier football facility at Gonzaga University, renowned for its high-quality design and considered one of the best facilities on the West Coast.

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The pitch honors the Luger family who funded considerable reconstruction over the last decade. The first phase included the main pitch, practice pitch, press box, plaza, ticket booth, and landscaping. In 2016, lights were added to the pitch, allowing for evening games and expanded scheduling options. A videoboard was installed in 2017, enhancing fan experience at the 1,500-seating capacity facility. In addition to two football pitches, this facility also offers meeting room space and amenities in a team building nearby.

"Gonzaga University is honored to be selected as a Team Base Camp Training Site for this summer's exciting FIFA World Cup, and we look forward to showcasing the world-class athletic facilities of our campus," said Gonzaga University President Katia Passerini. "Global engagement is a key aspect of our mission as a university, and our Gonzaga community is excited for this tournament of fantastic football and international fellowship to include the Inland Northwest."

Spokane, nestled along the Spokane River in Eastern Washington, offers a vibrant downtown, modern accommodations, outdoor recreational access and convenient travel access to West Coast host cities. The city's commitment to sports excellence and community engagement makes it an ideal backdrop. Its central location in the Pacific Northwest and distinct four-season climate make it an appealing and balanced environment for Egypt at the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

This announcement represents the culmination of over a year of effort by Gonzaga University and the City of Spokane. Both entities negotiated extensively with FIFA to be accepted as a potential Team Base Camp location. Spokane and Renton are the only cities in the state of Washington to be included in the FIFA brochure. Following the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final Draw in December, national teams began making their Base Camp selections.

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"We're eagerly awaiting the Pharaohs' arrival. While Spokane and Egypt may be worlds apart geographically, we hope our city will feel like a true home base during the FIFA World Cup 2026. We are proud to host them and look forward to offering them a warm welcome to the Lilac City," said Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown.

"The City of Spokane was excited just to be included in the brochure, so being selected as a FIFA World Cup 2026 base is even more exciting news for our city. We are grateful for our partnership with Gonzaga and the work we've done together to reach this milestone," said Alex Scott, Spokane City Administrator. "Now, we're looking forward to welcoming the Egypt national team to Spokane this summer and showcasing all our city has to offer."

"From the very beginning, we have said that FIFA World Cup 2026 will be a truly statewide event, and welcoming one of Africa's most storied football nations to Eastern Washington is a powerful testament to that commitment," said CEO of SeattleFWC26, Peter Tomozawa. "The Lilac City has been showcasing Washington's innovative spirit to the world, and now Spokane gets to be Egypt's home away from home as they prepare for the world stage. Gonzaga's commitment to athletic excellence makes it the perfect place to train and thrive, and we can't wait for team Egypt to experience the rich culture, incredible food, natural beauty, and welcoming people of the PNW."

"I was proud to lead community efforts to land Spokane as a base camp and am grateful to Gonzaga for stepping up to host Egypt's team in the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup 2026," said State Senator Marcus Riccelli. "As a coach, player, referee, and fan, I am so thankful our community will have the rare opportunity to watch some of the world's best soccer players prepare for the World Cup. Once the tournament starts, Spokane's Fan Zone will continue to solidify our place as the soccer heartbeat of the Inland Northwest."

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