Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) general secretary Dennis Chung says the federation could seek an alternative venue for international matches after they were forced to have an early kick-off time for today’s World Cup qualifier against the Dominican Republic at the National Stadium.
The game was originally scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m., but the lights at the National Stadium failed to meet the international standards set by regional football administrators Concacaf, and the JFF had to decide on an earlier kick-off.
He said that it is the second infrastructural issue that they have encountered at the National Stadium in recent times and that they may have to assess where they stage future home games.
“One of the things we have discussed is that we need to get certain assurances because the last time (at the Stadium), it was the state of the pitch, and now it’s the lights. So we really need to look where we play our international games.
“So before we make the commitment, we have to make sure we have the right standards in place for international games because it is very difficult to change logistics even with a month to go,” Chung said.
The JFF general secretary added that one of the options is to see whether the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall can be certified for international games.
Though disappointed that the game has been shifted to 3:30 p.m., he hopes that the corporate community will allow workers the time off to come out and support the team in its opening game of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
“We are a little disappointed because momentum has been going well. We still think we will see a lot of people come out as we are hoping that companies will allow people to come out and support the Boyz.
“It’s 3:30 (p.m.), so let’s go at it. A 6:30 (p.m.) kick-off would have been an ideal time, but we are hoping that we get the word out to people.
“A lot of people have bought tickets, and we hope they really come to the game. If people choose not to come, we will have to refund them.
“So it is a disappointing turn of events for us. But we are looking for a victory nonetheless because we have a good team,” he said.
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