Canadian Soccer Association Wraps-up FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 Candidate Bid Cities Visits

The Canadian Soccer Association concluded its tour of the seven Candidate Bid Cities sites on Friday 29 April in preparation for the hosting of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2014 and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015, awarded to Canada on 3 March 2011.

The Association’s representatives visited Vancouver, BC (28-29 March), Halifax, NS (4-5 April), Montréal, QC (6-7 April), Moncton, NB (11-12 April), Ottawa, ON (14-15 April), Winnipeg, MB (18-19 April) and Edmonton, AB (28-29 April). These visits allowed each Candidate Bid City to showcase its stadium, training facilities and ancillary venues to the Association’s representatives and provided the opportunity for each group to discuss the benefits and expectations related to hosting this competition.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015, the world’s largest competition in women’s sport, has the potential of reaching hundreds of thousands of people, with Official Host Cities spanning from coast to coast. Peter Montopoli, Canadian Soccer Association General Secretary, commented that: "The Canadian Soccer Association wishes to thank all the Candidate Bid Cities for their hospitality over the past few weeks." He added that "the Association is looking forward to harnessing the momentum initiated by the Women’s National Team’s participation in this summer FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011 to create a one of a kind experience for Canadians across the country."

The Canadian Soccer Association will now focus on its participation in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011 observer program.

In the fall of 2011, official site visits to all Candidate Bid Cities will be conducted by FIFA in order to ensure that the sites meet FIFA standards. With seven enthusiastic and dedicated Candidate Bid Cities engaged, the selection of the Official Host Cities will be announced in early 2012. Later in 2012 and following these decisions, the competition schedule will be finalized and ancillary event locations will be determined.