Jamaica’s opening game in the 2026 Fifa World Cup cycle against the Dominican Republic will be played at 3:30 pm at the National Stadium on Thursday June 6.
The game was scheduled for a 6:30 pm kick off, however Concacaf, football’s regional governing body, is unhappy with the quality of the lights at the stadium.
Concacaf registered their concern with the local authorities early last week, and warned of the possibilty there could be a shift in the start time for the game.
Concacaf further stated that they were forced to move the start time as they are obligated to give the television broadcasters at least five clear days to set in train their production.
Independence Park Limited, IPL, operators of the National Stadium only managed to source and install new lights on Tuesday, which was well past the deadline.
General Manager of Independence Park, Major Desmond Brown, says the game’s start time was moved despite their best efforts.
Major Desmond Brown.
IPL say they got the lights from local premier league clubs Tivoli Gardens and Mobay United and the Police Officers Club who had the lights in storage.
President of the Jamaica Football Federation Michael Ricketts reacts to the latest development.
Michael Ricketts.
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