CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As Spain’s national team continues training in Chattanooga ahead of the World Cup, another team is working behind the scenes to help keep everything moving.
News 12 got a closer look at the role of a FIFA Team Services Venue Officer, or TSVO, a position that serves as a liaison between FIFA, the national team and local partners helping host the squad during its stay.
Sean McDaniel, serving as Spain’s FIFA Team Services Venue Officer in Chattanooga, described the role as helping connect FIFA, the Spanish national team, Baylor School and Embassy Suites while making sure the team has what it needs during its time in the city.
McDaniel said the role goes beyond logistics and requires constant coordination.
“We’re always on call 24/7,” McDaniel said. “The movement of the team is very, very secure.”
He said moving the team between locations involves many moving parts, with security measures in place at both the hotel and training facilities.
Thursday’s media session brought together around 100 Spanish media groups as Spain continues preparing for its World Cup opener.
One of the biggest topics during the session centered around the star player Lamine Yamal who is playing in his first ever World Cup. After making his return to training, questions surrounded his status for Spain’s first World Cup match.
Fans had one opportunity to see Spain up close during a public training session over the past weekend, but McDaniel said fans should not expect many more public opportunities as the team shifts focus towards competition.
“Spain is here to work and they’re here to win the World Cup,” McDaniel said. “Now it’s all business.”
Spain remains in Chattanooga as preparations continue ahead of its World Cup opener in Atlanta on Monday.
