SPOKANE — The FIFA World Cup kicks off in just two months, and Spokane will serve as a base camp for Egypt’s soccer team during the tournament.
Spokane has entered the global sports center circle, and the community is excited to host superstar Mo Salah and the Egyptian national team during the World Cup. The team will play two games in Seattle and one in Vancouver.
Crews are working at Gonzaga’s soccer field to prepare for the team’s arrival. The facility was receiving maintenance work as preparations continue.
“I think we have a chance…really… it’s not like easy to get the place where international players come here and stay,” said Akiba Luuala, a local soccer fan and player.
In Monday’s city council agenda, the Spokane Police Department made a request to purchase more than $250,000 in equipment to prepare to host Team Egypt. Police requested four drones and barriers to put outside of the practice facility. They would request a grant from FIFA to pay for it.
This agenda item is the first and only public reference to Spokane hosting the Egyptians. The city and FIFA are not willing to confirm it yet.
Visit Spokane and Spokane Club are putting together two fan zone watch parties that will be held at Gesa Pavilion in Riverfront Park. The first watch party will be June 19 to watch USA play Australia. The following month, they’ll host another watch party July 19 for the World Cup final.
“We’re going to have all sorts of things going on for the kids…. There’s going to be a beer garden, a VIP section, all sorts of fun stuff and huge screens for everyone to watch the games,” said Kate Hudson, Visit Spokane public relations director.
The FIFA brochure, which highlighted Spokane as a potential base camp, suggested a team stay at Northern Quest Resort and Casino.
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