As part of the preparations for this summer’s World Cup, the Spanish national soccer team has chosen Chattanooga, Tennessee, as their base camp ahead of the tournament. The team, aiming to secure Spain’s first World Cup title since 2010, is housed at the Embassy Suites hotel, where staff have meticulously arranged accommodations to meet the specific preferences of the 26 players and support personnel.

Among the detailed requests was a seemingly minor but vital item: pillows. The team requested 500 new, firm pillows that had never been used, underscoring the priority placed on player comfort. Lori Jenkins, regional sales and marketing director for Vision Hospitality Group, the company managing the Embassy Suites, noted the importance of creating a home-like environment for the team. Beyond the pillows, hotel staff also considered other factors such as meal preparation and furniture ergonomics to support the athletes’ needs during their stay.

This arrangement is part of a broader effort by FIFA, the sport’s international governing body, which compiled a roster of 62 approved training and accommodation sites across the three host nations—Canada, Mexico, and the United States. In recent weeks, 48 national teams arrived at various locations throughout North America to establish their temporary bases as they prepare for the tournament’s initial phase.

Each team selected its preferred site based on factors including facility quality, local amenities, and logistical convenience, reflecting the complex planning behind hosting a global sporting event of this magnitude. Chattanooga’s ability to meet Spain’s precise requirements highlights both the city’s appeal and the detailed nature of World Cup preparations as teams seek to optimize their environment for peak performance.