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TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Tucson lost its status as a World Cup training site after the Iranian national soccer team chose to move to Tijuana, citing security concerns and potential visa issues, resulting in significant economic losses for the city.
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The cancellation impacts not only sports fans but also the Tucson economy, as the team was expected to spend heavily during its stay. Kino Sports Complex had preparations in place for the Iranian national team’s arrival.
“All of our contractors had been scheduled. All of our law enforcement had been scheduled,” said Sarah Hanna, Kino Sports Complex director.
FIFA WORLD CUP
The sudden change by Iran delivered a financial hit to the county. Hanna said they spent more than $75,000 on security and local contractors.
The biggest impact falls on Westward Look Resort, where the team planned to stay. The general manager said the resort will lose out on hundreds of thousands of dollars as the team was going to buy out all 241 rooms for 30 days.
The team also planned three meals a day, totaling around $40 per person per day.
County officials said the economic loss is particularly frustrating because Pima County did nothing wrong.
“We didn’t do anything. This wasn’t because the county screwed up, or the sports complex was inadequate,” said Matt Heinz, Pima County supervisor. “That’s what’s so frustrating.”
Iran cited security concerns as part of the reason for the move. Heinz said he wasn’t worried about protesters coming to the complex in his district.
“I had no concerns whatsoever. I do understand, though, and respect the hesitation on the part of the Iranian team members,” Heinz said.
However, some local Iranian residents disagreed with that assessment.
“I think it would have 100% been a protest,” said Amir Pajouyan, a Tucson resident from Iran.
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But Pajouyan said this was an opportunity to bring people together, Something Tucson residents, soccer fan or not, could have been a part of.
“Sports has always been a way to unify,” Pajouyan said. “I have soccer players that play ion my team that are American, and they’re excited for the team to come.”
Including visa issues from the Tucson Baseball Ream this past winter, it marks the second opportunity lost in Tucson with at least a potential $13 million of economic impact combined.
Despite this, Hanna said the takeaway should not be the loss but rather the display that Kino is a viable location to host future international events.
“We’re not deterred by this. We realize that sometimes things are out of your control, but we’re definitely not deterred here in southern Arizona,” Hanna said.
FIFA told Kino officials it is working to recoup some of the financial loss from the move. Officials at Westward Look said they hope to offset the loss of revenue with future bookings through Tucson’s busy season.
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