BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – The National Stadium here has been given the green light to host next month’s 2018 World Cup qualifier after passing a CONCACAF inspection, the Barbados Today online newspaper has reported. This follows upgrades to the government-owned facility which had not hosted an international since 2011, incidentally also a World Cup qualifier in the build-up to the 2014 World Cup.

Christopher Craig, representing CONCACAF, carried out the inspection last week, paving the way for local fans to witness Barbados’ opening game on the road to Russia 2018, when they take on the United States Virgin Islands on March 22.
“Obviously I am very proud because the National Stadium is the home of football in Barbados and it’s good to see that we will be able to provide the local fans with a taste of international football,” Barbados Today quoted Barbados FA president Randy Harris as saying.
“The stadium has undergone some upgrades, especially as it relates to the outfield and the lighting, so we are very pleased that work has not been in vain and we have been given a passing grade.”
Issues remain, however. A power failure led to the postponement of matches in the Premier League competition last Thursday and also disrupted the Barbados Relay Fair last weekend.
Harris, though, remained confident these latest setbacks would be addressed by the time the World Cup qualifiers rolled around.
“While I am a bit concerned about the issue with the lights I have been assured that persons at the stadium are working to get it rectified,” he said
“So I have no doubt that by the time March 22 comes around everything will be in order.”