Virgin Islands footballers in preparation for the now postponed World Cup Qualifiers. Photo: BVIFA/File

President of the BVI Football Association (BVIFA) Mr Andy Bickerton has said the decision taken jointly by Concacaf and FIFA to delay the World Cup Qualifiers will prove to be beneficial to the National team. Photo: BVIFA

Following discussions, Concacaf and FIFA agreed that the Concacaf Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will not be played in the match windows of October or November 2020, and will instead begin with the first round in the FIFA match window of March 2021.

‘Delay makes a lot of sense’- Bickerton

"From the FA's perspective the delay in the World Cup Qualifiers until March 2021 makes a lot of sense.” commented Bickerton “Hopefully by that time spectators will be able to attend the home matches and we will be able to bring all of our players together for preparation without facing the COVID quarantine regulations. Travel will have become more relaxed allowing the BVI to benefit from the economic effects of the Sports Tourism opportunity provided by the visit of the fans from Guatemala and Curacao."

Many parts of the region continue to have very challenging public health situations, and that has been a key factor in this decision. Additionally, several countries across the confederation have travel restrictions and quarantine requirements, which would make international football involving 30 national teams extremely difficult.

Concacaf will now work with FIFA to finalise a new schedule, beginning with the first round in March 2021, which will be communicated in due course.