CSA Bids For Edmonton To Host WWC Group

Ottawa, Ontario – The Canadian Soccer Association today announced it has officially informed FIFA and the United States Soccer Federation of its interest in having Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium act as one of the venues for the 2003 Women’s World Cup and for one of the groups of four (including Canada) to be based in Edmonton.
​The bid is contingent upon the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup being awarded to the USSF, following the decision taken by the FIFA Executive Committee on May 3 to move the tournament from China due to concerns over SARS.
​“The CSA has informed FIFA of our desire to host one of the groups in Edmonton and we are hopeful that the fantastic success we experienced in Edmonton during the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship will be a big advantage to our bid,” said CSA President Andy Sharpe, who noted more than 34,000 tickets have already been sold for Canada’s women’s international friendly against Mexico on August 31, 2003 at Commonwealth Stadium.
​Edmonton hosted a group which included Canada during the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship and the tournament was a huge success with more than 180,000 attending the three round robin doubleheaders, quarter-final, semi and final. The Final between Canada and the United States attracted 49,000 fans to Commonwealth Stadium and the team captured the hearts of the city during an amazing three weeks in August, 2002.
​The CSA bid is fully supported by CONCACAF, with President Jack Warner informing FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter of the Confederation’s complete backing of this initiative.
​“Please be advised that the Canadian Soccer Association has the full support of CONCACAF in their bid to host one of the groups including Canada at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton,” said Warner in a letter sent to President Blatter on May 7.
​The USSF met with FIFA on Tuesday to discuss the possibilities of hosting the competition in the United States. The tournament was originally scheduled from September 23 – October 11 and FIFA has indicated it hopes to match those dates if feasible.