"As soon as you put one foot on Baylor School, it's amazing because you have everything." That's Aitor Karanka — three-time Champions League winner, now RFEF technical development director — describing a private high school in Chattanooga, Tennessee. That's where Spain are setting up camp for the 2026 World Cup group stage.
It sounds like an odd choice until you think about what the second-ranked team in the world actually needs: privacy, security, world-class facilities, and a buffer from the circus that follows Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Rodri, and Nico Williams everywhere they go. Baylor School, ringed by trees and tucked away from the noise, apparently ticks every box.
Why Chattanooga works for La Roja
Spain open against debutants Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta — about 120 miles away, a two-hour drive. Their second group game, against Saudi Arabia, is in the same city six days later. Basing themselves in Chattanooga keeps the squad close enough to their venues while staying completely out of the spotlight. That balance matters when you're managing a squad full of global superstars and at least one player — Yamal — who is still recovering from a hamstring injury picked up in April.
Karanka was clear about the logic: train in a secure, secluded environment, then stay in the heart of Chattanooga's downtown so players can decompress and actually interact with the city when time allows. It's a human approach to what can become an isolating tournament experience.
The reigning European champions aren't here to sightsee, though. Luis de la Fuente's squad is coming to win a World Cup, and every detail of the preparation reflects that. Spain's 2010 triumph in South Africa remains their only World Cup title. They want another one.
The school is already feeling it
The students at Baylor are, understandably, losing their minds about this. Some of them are the same age as Yamal.
"I'm 16 years old myself and seeing Lamine Yamal, that's like a generational talent," goalkeeper Matthew Ramirez told CNN. His teammate Heath Techasiriwan put it more bluntly: "I feel like no other high schooler gets to brag that they got the best player in the world right now playing at their campus."
Director of soccer Curtis Blair had the best line of all: "I'm really trying to figure out how he has eligibility so we can keep him here for next year."
Beyond the school, the whole city is mobilizing. Local restaurant Amada Tapas and Wine is planning traditional paellas and chargrilled octopus throughout June and July. The Sports and Events Corporation has been coordinating with federal, state, and local government on security. Tim Morgan, its president, summed up the mood simply: "The energy we have seen so far has been absolutely amazing and they aren't even here yet."
Spain arrive as one of the genuine contenders to lift the trophy in July. Their squad depth, tactical structure, and recent pedigree make them short-priced in any outright market — and a settled, secure base camp only strengthens the case. A team that's comfortable off the pitch tends to be dangerous on it.
As Karanka put it: "We are going there with everything to try to win."
