San Salvador Draw Determines Groups and Schedule for CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship El Salvador 2015
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) today conducted the draw for the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship El Salvador 2015.
At the Intercontinental Real San Salvador, CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb opened the proceedings that determined the groupings and match schedule for the tournament, which kicks off on March 28.
“This event in El Salvador signifies a new era for CONCACAF as we prepare to host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup for the first time, in the Bahamas in 2017,” said President Webb. “CONCACAF beach soccer teams have demonstrated their outstanding abilities on the pitch, competing at the highest levels in this discipline. I convey my best wishes to all teams competing in the qualifiers, and challenge them to set their sights not only on the regional championship, but also on bringing the Beach Soccer World Cup home to CONCACAF this summer.”
Tuesday’s draw sorted the sixteen participating countries into four groups of four teams each. Group A is set to feature host El Salvador, along with Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Belize. Group B contains Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, Guadeloupe and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Group C features the defending champions USA, along with the Bahamas, Barbados and Antigua & Barbuda. Group D is composed of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama and the U.S. Virgin Islands
The Estadio de Fútbol Costa del Sol, located on the stretch of coastline known as the Costa de Sol, will play host to all of the matches of the championship, including the Grand Final on Saturday, April 4.
In addition to the regional title, the 16 participating Member Associations are battling for one of two places in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Portugal 2015, to be played this July. The top two teams of each group will advance to the quarterfinals.
The United States is the defending champion, having claimed the title in Nassau, Bahamas in 2013.
CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship El Salvador 2015
Costa de El Sol, El Salvador
Group A
El Salvador
Jamaica
Puerto Rico
Belize
Group B
Mexico
Trinidad & Tobago
Guadeloupe
Turks and Caicos Islands
Group C
USA
Bahamas
Barbados
Antigua & Barbuda
Group D
Costa Rica
Guatemala
Panama
US Virgin Islands
CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship Schedule
Day 1 – Saturday, March 28
Bahamas vs. Barbados
Trinidad & Tobago vs. Guadeloupe
Jamaica vs. Puerto Rico
Antigua & Barbuda vs. USA
Turks & Caicos Islands vs. Mexico
Belize vs. El Salvador
Day 2 – Sunday, March 29
Guatemala vs. Panama
Trinidad & Tobago vs. Turks & Caicos Islands
Jamaica vs. Belize
US Virgin Islands vs. Costa Rica
Mexico vs. Guadeloupe
El Salvador vs. Puerto Rico
Day 3 – Monday, March 30
Guatemala vs. US Virgin Islands
Bahamas vs. Antigua & Barbuda
Puerto Rico vs. Belize
Costa Rica vs. Panama
USA vs. Barbados
El Salvador vs. Jamaica
Day 4 – Tuesday, Match 31
Panama vs. US Virgin Islands
Barbados vs. Antigua & Barbuda
Guadeloupe vs. Turks & Caicos Islands
Costa Rica vs. Guatemala
USA vs. Bahamas
Mexico vs. Trinidad & Tobago
Day 5 – Wednesday, April 1
Rest Day
Day 6 – Thursday, April 2
Quarterfinals
1D vs. 2B
1C vs. 2A
1B vs. 2D
1A vs. 2C
Day 7 – Friday, April 3
Semifinals
Day 8 – Saturday, April 4
Finals