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World Cup hopes rest on venue grades
February 11, 2026
President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Michael Ricketts, is hoping the nation's premier football facilities, the National Stadium and Sabina Park, get a passing grade to host FIFA Women's World Cup games at the 2031 tournament.
The USA, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica have made a joint bid to co-host the 2031 tournament, but that will depend on if the team of eight FIFA inspectors, expected in the island today, give the venues the nod of approval.
They will also inspect hotel accommodations and the Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence, as a training facility.
Despite numerous questions over infrastructural inadequacies of the primary facilities in the past, Ricketts is confident that with the support of the government, they can meet the requirements and achieve the historic feat.
"We just hope that we will be able to satisfy their needs," Ricketts told STAR Sports. "It's a huge opportunity for us. This will be big for Jamaica and we are just intent on getting it right.
"It would touch the lives of many Jamaicans from a commercial standpoint. We just hope that we be will be able to continue to prove to these people that we can do a job."
The inspection team will focus mainly on the National Stadium and Sabina Park venues, as well as hotel accommodation in the corporate area.
Although there are issues with the venues, the stadium in particular, that must be addressed, Ricketts noted that they have had the assurance from government that these things will be rectified in time.
"Victor (Montagliani-Concacaf president) came here and met with (sports) minister (Olivia) Grange and put forward a proposal, and minister Grange was excited and the prime minister himself was excited, and the reality is that they (inspectors) are coming here to look at what we have to offer in terms of infrastructure and will report to FIFA.
"In terms of the hotels, I am pretty confident that they will be okay. I know minister Grange has confirmed repeatedly, that the stadium will be renovated and ready for 2031, and I am sure she would give those assurances again."
He pointed out also that it is unfortunate that the Montego Bay Sports Complex, Catherine Hall is not in the mix. " We would have liked to have some games in the west but they will not be part of it based on the present conditions (caused by Hurricane Melissa)."
If all goes well an announcement will be made at the next FIFA congress in Canada in April.
"They will make a determination and an official announcement and it will be Costa Rica, Mexico, USA and Jamaica to host."
