Artifical Turf: What are FIFA rules for WCQ's

[beachesl]

Does anyone know what exactly are the current FIFA rules, pending the trials going on now, of playing World Cup Qualifying matches on artificial turf?

I think that FIFA allowed special exemption for some WCQ's for 2002 in the Carribean to be held
on artificial turf, but I think that was in the light of unacceptable alternatives.

And I know that U-17's in Finland and some other cometitions have allowed / will allow them.

Any help on this issue would be appreciated.

[MikeyPez]

well MLS teams will be playin on an artificial tuff as a testin for FIFA. The turf used will be based on one created for the NFL. It should be interesting cause this stuff is supposed to mimic grass perfectly!

[Knave]

Well, a couple MLS teams play on turfs of varying makes. Some get better reviews than others. The field that the MetroStars plays on I think is pretty good. Others have problems. One problem in particular is that the rubber base that some manufacturers use apparently holds the heat on hot days and players basically bake in their boots.

If I recall correctly, artificial turf (from the approved manufacturers) is OK in qualifying but I don't think it is in the finals. Perhaps that will change in time as the technology improves.

Perhaps someone knows a link that'll settle this for certain.

[Delta Blues]

Originally posted by Knave
Well, a couple MLS teams play on turfs of varying makes. Some get better reviews than others. The field that the MetroStars plays on I think is pretty good. Others have problems. One problem in particular is that the rubber base that some manufacturers use apparently holds the heat on hot days and players basically bake in their boots.

If I recall correctly, artificial turf (from the approved manufacturers) is OK in qualifying but I don't think it is in the finals. Perhaps that will change in time as the technology improves.

Perhaps someone knows a link that'll settle this for certain.

You've got it right. The approved surfaces are OK through qualifying, but not for the finals. I doubt you'll see any in qualifying though, unless it were a winter situation at the Meadowlands or Seattle. They'll put temporary grass over the FieldTurf in those venues for qualifiers almost certainly.

Kevin