Northwest Notes May 27, 2026

Egypt selects Gonzaga, Spokane as team base camp training site for FIFA World Cup 2026

SPOKANE — The City of Spokane and Gonzaga University will serve as a team base camp training site during FIFA World Cup 2026 for the seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions Egypt, it was announced Tuesday. 

Each team participating in FIFA World Cup 202 selects a team base camp training site where the delegation will be headquartered to prepare for matches, including practice sessions, player workouts, team meetings and staff operations. 

This “home away from home” is designed to provide a hub where teams will arrive ahead of their first match and will be available for those teams to return to between matches.

Egypt’s schedule for FIFA World Cup 2026

June 15: Egypt vs. Belgium in Seattle

June 21: Egypt vs. New Zealand in Vancouver, British Columbia

June 26: Egypt vs. Iran in Seattle

The Pharaohs will make their fourth appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2026. In Spokane, they'll train at Luger Field, home to Gonzaga men's and women's soccer.

Gonzaga University and the City of Spokane negotiated extensively with FIFA to be accepted as a potential team base camp location. Spokane and Renton are the only cities in the state of Washington to be included in the FIFA brochure. 

Following the FIFA World Cup 2026™ final draw in December, national teams began making their base camp selections.

Gonzaga officially adds former Century High standout Harwell

SPOKANE — Isiah Harwell, a transfer from Houston, signed a financial aid agreement to attend Gonzaga University and will join the men's basketball team for the 2026-27 season.

Harwell, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound guard, appeared in 32 games for the University of Houston during his freshman season, averaging 13.8 minutes per game in a reserve role off the bench. 

The Pocatello native averaged 3.6 points and 2.0 rebounds per game during the 2025-26 season for the Cougars. He scored 20 points and pulled down four rebounds in a win over Jackson State. Harwell reached double figures in scoring three different times during the season, hitting four 3-pointers in a game twice.

Harwell played as a freshman at Century High in Pocatello, before transferring to a prep school, Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Utah.

Out of high school, Harwell was considered as the 13th-rated recruit in the nation. At Wasatch Academy in 2024-25, he was recognized as the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Utah. He led Wasatch Academy to 25-4 record and a berth at Chipotle Nationals, averaging 17.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals. 

He was a First-Team All-Nike EYBL Scholastic League honoree, and was named to the Naismith Trophy Watch List for National High School Player of the Year.

In the McDonald’s All-American Game, Harwell posted a team-high 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting — including 4-of-7 from behind the arc — with four rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals. 

He was named the Hoophall Classic game’s Most Valuable Player after scoring 19 points with six rebounds and three assists. 

Harwell was invited to compete at the USA Basketball U19 National Training Camp.

Isiah's older brother, Malek, played at Boise State and Cal Poly.