When Iran’s national soccer team decided to move its FIFA World Cup training base from Tucson to Tijuana, Mexico, Pima County lost a planned economic opportunity tied to one of the world’s largest sporting events.
The decision, which Iranian officials attributed to security concerns and geopolitical tensions, ended nearly two years of planning by local officials, tourism leaders and business partners.
For Pima County, the move meant the loss of a six-figure contract, hotel bookings and anticipated spending from media members and visitors who were expected to follow the team during its stay.
“We were going to see some economic impact from all of the media traveling to follow the team, along with fans possibly coming here and wanting to get a glimpse of the team,” said Sarah Hanna, director of Kino Sports Complex.
“We definitely are missing out on that portion.”
The Iranian national team had selected Kino Sports Complex as its official training site ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Under the agreement, Kino was expected to receive approximately $213,000 through its contract with FIFA during the team’s stay.
The financial impact extended beyond the sports complex.
“There was also going to be the hotel where they were staying,” Hanna said. “There was also food and beverage with them because all of the food was going to be at the hotel.”
Westward Look Resort, where the team planned to stay, was expected to house players, coaches and support staff for much of June. The resort reportedly stood to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars after the cancellation, with the team initially planning to occupy all 241 rooms for approximately 30 days.
Additional spending was expected from transportation providers and other tourism-related businesses.
Hanna said FIFA planned to issue up to 100 media credentials per day for journalists covering the team’s preparations. Those reporters, along with traveling fans, were expected to generate additional hotel stays and visitor spending throughout the region.
As a stadium district, Kino Sports Complex receives funding through hotel bed taxes and rental car taxes, making tourism activity an important revenue source for the facility.
The cancellation also came after officials spent nearly 20 months preparing for the World Cup opportunity.
“We were 98% complete,” Hanna said. “We started heavily preparing the facility once we were awarded a team.”
Preparations intensified after Tucson was officially awarded Iran’s team in February. Grounds crews worked to bring the playing surface to FIFA standards, while county officials coordinated security plans and logistics with local, state and federal partners.
Although many anticipated security and staffing expenses were avoided because the team withdrew before arriving, some investments had already been made, including the purchase and installation of security screening materials around the facility.
County officials say the preparation process also produced long-term benefits.
The World Cup planning effort allowed Kino staff to work directly with FIFA officials and sports venue professionals from across the country. Hanna said the facility’s groundskeeping team participated in FIFA training sessions alongside turf managers from venues including SoFi Stadium and Gillette Stadium.
“The knowledge base that we’ve learned about our turf management and horticultural practices is something we’ll continue moving forward with,” Hanna said.
The experience also strengthened working relationships among law enforcement agencies, emergency management officials, health care providers, tourism organizations and federal partners that would have been involved in hosting the team.
“We made some incredible partnerships during this process,” Hanna said.
Officials also view the selection as validation of Tucson’s ability to host international sporting events.
“We are a World Cup-class facility,” Hanna said. “We were picked as a FIFA World Cup training site, and we were up to that quality.”
While Pima County lost the opportunity to host Iran’s national team, officials say the planning process and infrastructure improvements have helped position Tucson for future international events.
“We’re not deterred by this,” Hanna said. “We realize that sometimes things are out of your control, but we’re definitely not deterred here in Southern Arizona.”