FIFA announced that three of the first-round fixtures in CONCACAF -- Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic, Montserrat vs. Surinam, and Grenada vs. US Virgin Islands -- will now be single-elimination after FIFA ruled that four of the national teams' stadiums did not meet the governing body's requirements. While it's probably not a surprise that Montserrat and the US Virgin Islands did not have suitable stadiums, it is surprising to find out that the Dominican Republic and Surinam couldn't meet those requirements either. What is distressing about this news is that the Dominican Republic and Surinam have participated in FIFA's GOAL program, specifically to improve the football facilities in both countries.
FIFA didn't give the specific reason for the requirements not being met, but I wouldn't be surprised if the all-seater requirement was a factor.
So the new schedule has Dominican Republic playing at Puerto Rico, Montserrat and USVI meeting in Trinidad & Tobago, and Surinam traveling to Grenada.
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