May 18 – Grenada has been named as hosts for the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s U17 Championship next March. The regional confederation has also announced the four US cities that will host the men’s Olympic qualifying tournament in October – Denver, Kansas City, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City.
The Olympic qualification tournament will send two teams directly to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, with the winner of the third-place play-off going on to face South America’s Colombia for a third spot at the Games. Mexico are the reigning Olympic champions.
The US tournament will see Mexico and the US head two groups of four. Canada are an automatic qualifier and will be joined by three Central American and two Caribbean nations.
Group matches will be played in Denver, Kansas City and Los Angeles, with the semi-finals and finals in Kansas City.
Grenada is making its debut as a host for the 2016 Under-17 Women’s. Grenada Football Association President Cheney Joseph said: “The decision to award Grenada such a prestigious tournament is a major milestone, and we appreciate the confidence shown in our association…This is the first time that Grenada will be hosting a tournament of this magnitude, and we are very thankful for this opportunity.”
Eight teams, three from the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), two from the Central American Football Union (UNCAF) with Canada, Mexico and the United States pre-qualified from North America.
Grenada qualifies automatically in one of the Caribbean places by virtue of being hosts.
The tournament will qualify three teams to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to be played in Jordan in September 2016.
“We are extremely pleased to award next year’s Women’s Under-17 Championship to Grenada, in the heart of the Eastern Caribbean,” said CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb. “Hosting this Championship marks a milestone for sport in Grenada, and proves the Confederation’s eagerness to reward those Member Associations who are willing to assume important responsibilities within the region.”
Grenada Minister of Sport Emmelin Pierre echoed Webb’s comments saying: “Grenada is definitely supportive of CONCACAF and the promotion and development of women’s football in the region. We are excited and grateful for this tremendous opportunity to host a women’s final and will work closely with the GFA to be a great host.”
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