DESPITE FIFA expressing concerns about Jamaica’s readiness to host matches at the Women’s World Cup in 2031, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts says he’s confident the country will secure hosting rights, with an official announcement expected in November. Last October, Jamaica joined the USA, Mexico, and Costa Rica in launching a joint bid to host the 2031 tournament, which would mark the first time a FIFA World Cup would be staged across four countries. A FIFA delegation visited the island in February, inspecting facilities including the National Stadium and meeting with representatives of the Jamaica Football Federation and the Government.
Hosts were initially expected to be confirmed at the FIFA Congress in Canada in April, but the world governing body postponed the announcement until November 23. Despite the delay, Sports Minister Olivia Grange told Parliament last month that Jamaica had been selected as one of the hosts, although FIFA has yet to officially confirm the successful bid. FIFA Consultant and Women’s Football Division Advisor Jose Andres Portabella told the Jamaica Observer that while FIFA is enthusiastic about Jamaica hosting matches, there is no guarantee the country will be selected.
(Photo: Garfield Robinson) “I couldn’t be more excited about the possibility of the World Cup coming to Jamaica in 2031,” he said. “FIFA wants to see football all over the world. Next year, the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held in Brazil, which shows the first time ever that the World Cup goes to South America.
It’s going to be a fantastic performance by players, by fans, incredible stadiums, so why not Jamaica in 2031 with the US, and Mexico, and Costa Rica?” “There’s a lot of work to be done, let’s be clear. We have had a delegation that’s come here to visit already [so] you (Jamaica) know what you need to do. The infrastructure is a key component of hosting the Women’s World Cup so we’re hopeful, we’re excited, and we’re looking forward to seeing what Jamaica does to bring this tournament to the island.” It’s understood that USA and Mexico are almost guaranteed to host the tournament given their established infrastructure, some of wh…
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