JORDAN TO PLAY IN WORLD CUP OPENER

Amman, August 2015 – TheFIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016 official match schedule has been confirmed, with the host nation set tofeature in the opening match on 30 September 2016.

FIFA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) are pleased to announce the match schedule, which is now available on FIFA.com, and follows on from the approval by FIFA’s Executive Committee. Over the course of 22 days, a total of 16 teams will play 32 matches across four stadiums.Amman International Stadium will provide the setting for the opening match,as well as the final match on 21 October 2016.

The match schedule was created following a thorough analysis of various aspects related to the tournament including the stadiums, teams and audiences, as well as matterspertaining to marketing, media, ticketing and timing, among others. 

While in the process of devising the match schedule, the LOC took several points into consideration. This included ensuring that the national team plays in all host cities - Amman, Irbid and Zarqa-subsequently providing fans across the three governorates and their surrounding areas with the chance to attend and support their national team. The LOC also made sure that the opening ceremony, opening game, closing ceremony and final match take place on Fridays, which will encourage audiences of all age groups to participate.        

Furthermore, the match schedule was designed in a manner that would allow Jordanian audiences to attend various games featuring different teams. As such, the participating teams will move for each game of the group stagebetween the designated stadiums, namely Amman International Stadium in Amman, King Abdullah II International Stadium in Qweismeh, Al Hassan Stadium in Irbid and Prince Mohammad Stadium in Al Zarqa. The LOC also ensured that the match schedule be divided in a way that is suitable for local media entities, thushelping to ensurecomprehensive media coverage.

“We were keen to feature the national team during the opening match in Amman, the second game in Irbid and the third in Zarqa, in line with our efforts to provide local audiences with the opportunity to watch the games live and cheer for their home team. By launching the official match schedule for the tournament, which is slated to take place on Jordanian soil next year, we are another step closer to bringing to life a proud historic event shaped by the Jordanian people. Football has once again reaffirmed its ability to unite the world and promote a sense of solidarity among nations, and we are confident that Jordanians will emerge as one to support the organization and execution of a successful tournament at all levels,” commented LOC Chairman, Salah Sabra.