No fences nor “cages”. The security measures typical of Chilean soccer will disappear from the four stadiums that will host the U-20 World Cup. The stadiums will also have to be adapted in terms of turf and lighting.

FIFA choses the four stadiums

FIFA was very struck by the fact that Chile's stadiums are full of fences, with large security mattresses, with fences everywhere, revealed the director of the U-20 World Cup, Felipe de Pablo in an interview with La Tercera. The executive explained that FIFA made up to five visits to the venues proposed by Chile. After the inspections, Sausalito Stadium was rejected as a tournament venue due to lack of information regarding the remodeling to be carried out, as explained by de Pablo.

It was also clear that of the four stadiums to host the tournament (these will be Estadio Nacional in Santiago, Estadio El Teniente in Rancagua, Estadio Elías Figueroa in Valparaíso and Estadio Fiscal in Talca) will all need adaptation work. Some received an evaluation of 2 out of 5, others like, the Nacional, a 4, but none of them received a 5.

© Ministerio del Deporte de Chile | Estadio El Teniente-Codelco

Modern infrastructure instead of fences

The organizers will have to remove the fences, and in the case of the worst rated stadiums, further improvements will be required. Among them, infrastructure works, such as lighting and on the field, with unified irrigation systems, and in some case the change of the turf.

But the most serious challenge are the training fields, which should reflect the conditions of the stadium, and this is not always the case. Although FIFA pays for the organization of the tournament, provides necessary machinery and its experts advise the organizers, the financing of the necessary improvements at each venue is borne by their owners.

Felipe de Pablo said that the National Professional Football Association is working with the cities, the government and the owners to adapt the stadiums. The World Cup will start on September 27, so time is short. A few weeks ago, the government announced funding of 4 billion pesos (€3.9 million) for works at the Nacional. We have improved a lot, but we have to keep moving forward, says de Pablo.

© Espacio Cubierto | Estadio Fiscal de Talca