With the United States hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, national teams from all over the world have had to find temporary homes in preparation for the 39-day tournament.
Many teams have taken root in major states like California, Texas, and Florida. However, the Iraqi national team opted for a much different approach and chose the wild and wonderful hills of West Virginia.
It is an unlikely home for a team that is used to rugged terrains, vast deserts, and marshlands across different areas of their home country. Read more: Unlikely national team finds home in West Virginia.
A special pairing
Earlier this month, the Iraqi national team entered the United States in preparation for the World Cup that is currently underway. And with the whole country at their disposal, they opted for White Sulphur Spring, West Virginia.
A town of just 2,154 residents in rural West Virginia is certainly a far cry from the country of Iraq, located in the Middle East. However, while it may be small in population, it boasts one of the most beautiful and historic resorts in the country: The Greenbrier.
Founded in 1778, the five-star luxury hotel has been a common place for travelers seeking comfort and relaxation among the unkept West Virginia hills. Throughout the early 1800’s, it became a prominent hotspot for politicians, judges, and diplomats.
Related: WVU alumni heavily represented in FIFA World Cup history
Over the years, it has seen numerous well-known figures like former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton, Richard Nixon, and John F. Kennedy. The resort has also housed royalty from around the world, like the former Prince of Morocco, Prince Rainier III, and his family.
Now in 2026, The Greenbrier’s extensive list of guests can add the Iraqi national soccer team. They join other sports squads of years past such as the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints to take refuge in the hills.
Once they arrived and started training at the sports performance center located on site, the current owner and U.S. senator Jim Justice spoke about how special the pairing is.
“This is just a really special day for West Virginia,” Justice said. “Think about it, a team getting ready to play on the biggest stage in the world chose to come right here to our state to train and get ready.”
Prestigious honor for the state
When it comes to the World Cup, it is without a doubt one of, if not the most prestigious, tournaments in the world. The only event that can compare is the Olympics.
Unlike the United States, every country holds soccer to the highest standard. And with that comes added pressure to succeed at the World Cup that only comes every once every four years.
So, for the Iraqi team to choose West Virginia, specifically The Greenbrier, to train and live at while the tournament is taking place is an extremely prestigious honor for the state.
The team could have chosen literally anywhere else in the country. In fact, their first game is in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which is nearly 700 miles away from The Greenbrier.
That suggests the Iraqi team did not choose the resort solely because of its proximity to its matches.
Regardless of the reasons behind the decision, the Iraqi national team is providing another opportunity to put West Virginia in the spotlight. And at the end of the day, that is exactly the kind of exposure the state needs.
Iraq is set to play its first game of the 2026 World Cup Group Stage on June 16 against Norway.
