FIFA 2022 Qualifying Tournament
There seems to be some resolution in the issue of venue and host country for the FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifying game between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. However, it comes with a catch.
A glimpse at Guyana’s ongoing local preparation
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) on Saturday released information that indicated that a neutral venue – the Dominican Republic – was chosen to host the game billed for March 25. This announcement goes against the first neutral venue in Curacao, that was in place initially.
The decision to move the Soca Warriors’ home game to the Dominican Republic comes after the Trinidadian Health authorities fiercely refused to allow the TTFA to have a ‘hot bubble’ environment.
The statement from the TTFA read: “The TTFA has therefore taken a decision to stage the match at the Pan American Stadium, San Cristobal, Dominican Republic. The date of the match remains March 25th. The TTFA will provide further information over the coming days in relation to arrangements for the Men’s Senior Team leading up to this important opening qualifying match.
“The Ministry of Health’s protocol and guidelines mandate fourteen (14) days’ quarantine for anyone entering the country. This condition is not feasible, given the FIFA international match window, and the MOH has declined the TTFA’s request of an exemption to facilitate a hot-bubble, which would allow members of both teams, including staff, to arrive within a suitable time period conducive to international football,” TTFA’s statement further revealed.
While it looks like the Trinidadian authorities have chosen their desired venue, it is alleged that no formal correspondence has reached the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), under whose premise the game and qualifying tournament falls. As such, no formal indication has reached the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), who are still presumably in the dark.
