Jamaica looking to host FIFA Youth World Cup

Jamaica’s chief soccer organizer, Captain Horace Burrell, says he will be spearheading the charge for his country to host a FIFA Youth World Cup in the near future.

Burrell, president of the Jamaica Football (Soccer) Federation, made the promise following reports of a successful hosting of the just ended CONCACAF Under-17 Women’s Championship.

“I will certainly be putting in a bid to host a junior World Cup, male or female,” declared Burrell after the final of the CONCACAF Under-17 Women’s Championship at the Montego Bay Sports Complex over the weekend.

Burrell has outlined potential benefits of hosting a World Cup at any level saying revenue inflows, exposure for brand Jamaica and the lasting legacy would catapult football and the country to a new plateau.

“Certainly one of the legacies would be the stadia that would have to be built, or developed where they already exist, and this would certainly aid the development of the overall game here,” he told reporters.

Only Trinidad & Tobago has hosted FIFA World Cups, having brought the Under-17 Women’s and Men’s tournaments to the twin-island republic.

Mexico won the Under-17 tournament by beating Canada 4-2 on penalties at the Montego Bay Sports Complex while in the match to decide third place, the United States routed hosts Jamaica 8-0.

Both Mexico and Canada have qualified to the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup to be hosted by Costa Rica next March. -(CMC)