It'll still be a little chilly up here for the first round of eliminations next year. Where will the games be played?? Edmonton (caribbeans aren't used to the cold), possibly use one of the field turf stadiums?? Anyone know?
I suppose it all depends if FIFA approves fieldturf for WCQ matches. I know they have approved the surface for friendly matches, but I don't know about WCQ. Perhaps someone can clarify? Well, I would imagine Ottawa and Montreal (both fieldturf) could be used for WCQ matches. I have heard that Ottawa could get one or two WCQ games next year. Vancouver might get another chance to host a WCQ. I do believe it has been a few years. Perhaps we will see Victoria? Especially in the first round of WCQ. I believe Winnipeg no longer has a proper stadium? I can't remember if the soccer complex was torn down or not? Edmonton will probably get a few games in the spring/summer.
Winnipeg's CFL stadium has field turf. In fact, Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton has field turf as well.
Actually, I believe both Winnipeg and Hamilton have a different version of fieldturf (astroplay or some thing like that). FIFA has only approved fieldturf (insert trademark symbol here).
True, but I still don't think FIFA has approved Astroplay® (turf at Ivor Wynne). From what I have read, Fieldturf® is the only non grass surface approved by FIFA.
Approved artificial surface sites First ever FIFA final on artificial turf http://www.fifa.com/en/display/mrel,68954.html Quote: "A number of matches have already been played on artificial turf, including Caribbean qualifiers for the 2002 FIFA World Cup(tm). Such matches are certain to increase in regularity in the future, particularly as at its meeting on 15 March 2003, the International Football Association Board confirmed its support for the use of artificial turf and mandated FIFA to create universal guidelines for the use of such surfaces." FIFA Quality Concept page http://www.fifa.com/en/development/quality/index.html FIFA hosts second roundtable on artificial turf http://www.fifa.com/en/display/article,70667.html FIFA Recommended Installations http://www.fifa.com/en/development/quality/instalations.html Then scanning the Concacaf listings (not listing the ones that are small fields with basically no seating): Frank Clair Stadium COUNTRY: Canada CITY: Ottawa CLUB (or other use):Frank Clair Stadium PRODUCT: FTOS 1S MANUFACTURER: FieldTurf FIFA RECOMMENDED: from 17 December 2002 to 16 December 2005 PITCH SIZE (m): 67m X 139m (9313m2) Molson Stadium COUNTRY: Canada CITY: Montréal (McGill University) CLUB (or other use): Multi - use PRODUCT: FTOS 1F MANUFACTURER: FieldTurf FIFA RECOMMENDED: from 4 September 2003 to 3 September 2006 PITCH SIZE (m): 144m x 69m = 9936m2 Parc de Kent COUNTRY: Canada CITY: Montreal CLUB (or other use): Municipal Facility PRODUCT: Prestige 60 MANUFACTURER: Tarkett Sommer FIFA RECOMMENDED: from 30 October 2001 to 29 October 2004 PITCH SIZE (m): 110 x 74 m (note: picture shows some bleacher seating, but not much) (f.y.i.) From the Laws of the Game: Dimensions Length: minimum 90 m (100 yds), maximum 120 m (130 yds) Width: minimum 45 m (50 yds), maximum 90 m (100 yds) International Matches Length: minimum 100 m (110 yds), maximum 110 m (120 yds) Width: minimum 64 m (70 yds), maximum 75 m (80 yds) From the recommendation on new stadium contruction: Playing field: - for all matches at top professional level, it is recommended that the dimensions of the playing field should be 105 x 68 m - for all matches in the final competition of the FIFA World Cup(tm) and the final competitions of confederation championships throughout the world, only the dimensions of 105 x 68 m are acceptable Any stadium in which major international games or final ties of domestic competitions are played should have the dimensions quoted herein.
Well, it looks like Canada could be hosting a WCQ game as early as January. If this happens, I am sure Vancouver or Victoria will host. Although I wouldn't mind a game being held in Ottawa.... but January might be a little too cold.
Ottawa would be a good spot if it's against a Caribbean team. they'd probably forfeit rather than play.....
In all seriousness, I don't understand why they're going to fieldturf. If the weather determines that the field is going to suck, so be it. Some of the Caribbean teams have paltry fields, but I'd rather play on that. Fieldturf makes the ball bounce unnaturally.