Sean McDaniel
Sean McDaniel, a longtime leader in Chattanooga’s soccer community, has been named Team Services Venue Officer (TSVO) by FIFA, the international governing body of soccer, for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. In this prestigious role, Mr. McDaniel will serve as FIFA’s official liaison while Auckland City FC of New Zealand trains and resides in Chattanooga this June.
Mr. McDaniel will be responsible for overseeing FIFA compliance, security, and logistics during the team’s stay at the Baylor School, one of just 32 host base camps selected globally for the tournament. His appointment places Chattanooga front and center on the international soccer stage and reflects decades of local investment in the sport.
“For me, this is a full-circle moment,” McDaniel said. “Over 30 years ago, soccer in Chattanooga was just beginning to take root. From those early days to the rise of clubs like Chattanooga FC, where I was a founding member, followed by serving for over six years as the president of the city’s first professional soccer team, the Chattanooga Red Wolves, our city has grown into a true soccer community. To now reach the mountaintop with FIFA choosing Chattanooga as a host site and me as TSVO is a tremendous honor—not just for me, but for the city and everyone who’s helped grow the game here.”
As a former collegiate player and deeply rooted member of the Chattanooga community, McDaniel brings unmatched insight to this international role. Born in Tampa, Florida, he moved to Chattanooga as a freshman at Covenant College, where he starred on the school’s championship soccer team, and has remained a fixture in the city’s soccer landscape ever since.
“This is the pinnacle of world football,” Mr. McDaniel added. “To serve FIFA in this capacity is a career highlight, and I’m proud that it’s happening right here in Chattanooga.”
Auckland City FC will arrive in Chattanooga on June 10 and begin training at the Baylor School on June 11 in preparation for their group stage matches. Their stay marks the beginning of what Mr. and local leaders hope is a growing partnership between FIFA and Chattanooga—with an eye on hosting a national team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.