27.06.2026 14:32
It turned out that the so-called "FIFA forced" Arizona camp for our National Team was not actually mandatory, and despite the scorching heat, the Turkish Football Federation did not exercise its right to change it.
TFF officials had stated that our National Team, which is in Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, would have to stay in Arizona due to qualifying through the playoffs.
NO MANDATORY CAMP LOCATION
However, according to emerging information, there was no such requirement. The TFF did not take action to change the Arizona Athletic Grounds facility in Mesa, known for its hot desert climate. This camp area, listed among FIFA's recommended facilities, is known for its scorching heat and physiological challenges. Many countries like Germany, France, Austria, Japan, Portugal, and Spain made their own choices and moved to more suitable conditions. Other teams mostly used options from the FIFA catalog.
COST AND CHOICE SITUATION
If Turkey had chosen a location outside the facilities offered by FIFA, it would have had to cover some expenses itself. However, many countries took on this extra cost by prioritizing factors such as the proximity of the training ground to the accommodation hotel and the distance to match venues. Due to Turkey's lack of choice, the team had to endure long and tiring journeys.
APPROACHES OF OTHER TEAMS
Germany: Under Julian Nagelsmann's leadership, they chose Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem and the nearby Graylyn Estate hotel. Short distances and the team closing the entire hotel were prioritized.
Spain: They opted for Baylor School in Tennessee. This private school was chosen for privacy and security reasons, and its distance of only 160 km to Atlanta for the early matches provided an advantage.
France: They used the Bentley University campus. The training ground surface was prepared to resemble that of the match stadium (Gillette).