FIFA on Monday confirmed that the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata will be the venue of the final of the FIFA Under 17 World Cup to be held later this year. The 21-member FIFA delegation led by Jaime Yarza inspected all the six venues before arriving at the Salt Lake Stadium today.
"The team is very pleased with the improvements that have been made in the last few months. If it goes on like this, this stadium will fulfil all the highest standards. We are still monitoring the venue elsewhere," Yarza said in a media conference.
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Tournament director Javier Ceppi announced the Salt Lake stadium as the venue for the final saying, “Kolkata will have 10 matches - 6 group matches, 1 round of 16, 1 quarter-final and the big final on October 28."
Sportskeeda had earlier reported about the rumoured venue for the final earlier in the month, with DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai the other stadium in the running to host the final.
Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, which was opened in 1984 is the home of two of Bengal and India’s biggest clubs, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, as well as ISL side, Atletico de Kolkata.
The stadium has undergone a sea of change recently in preparation for the U-17 World Cup, which includes re-laying of the pitch, bucket seats, and a new press box.
The World Cup gets underway from October 6 and the slogan of the tournament will be "Football Takes Over".
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24 international teams will compete in six different cities, one of the teams being India, who have it to the prestigious junior tournament on account of being the hosts . Group A will have their matches in Navi Mumbai, while Group B matches will be held in New Delhi. While Mumbai's DY Patil will have one Round of 16 game and a semi-final, Delhi will have two Round of 16 games.
Goa will host group C ties and two Round of 16 games and one last eight encounter. Kochi will stage group D matches with one Round of 16 tie and a quarter-final. Guwahati will have the Group E matches, one Round of 16 game and one semi-final.
