To be eligible to host matches at the international level, a stadium must meet certain standards set by FIFA, the international governing body for soccer. These standards cover a wide range of areas, including the playing field's size and condition, the lighting's quality, the capacity of the stands, and the availability of amenities such as restrooms and medical facilities.
In order to be certified by FIFA, a stadium must have a natural or artificial grass pitch that meets the organization's standards for size, flatness, and playing quality. The pitch must also be surrounded by an adequate playing area, known as the "safety zone," to protect players from injuries.
The stands must be able to hold a minimum number of spectators, depending on the level of competition being held at the stadium. For example, FIFA requires that stadiums hosting World Cup matches have a minimum capacity of 40,000. In addition, the stands must provide good visibility for all spectators and be equipped with enough restrooms and other amenities to accommodate the expected number of fans.
Finally, the lighting at the stadium must meet FIFA's standards for intensity and uniformity to ensure that players and officials have good visibility during matches.
Playing field: The playing field must be made of natural or artificial grass, and must meet FIFA's standards for size, flatness, and playing quality. An adequate safety zone must also surround the field to protect players from injuries.
Capacity: The stands must be able to hold a minimum number of spectators, depending on the level of competition being held at the stadium. For example, FIFA requires that stadiums hosting World Cup matches have a minimum capacity of 40,000.
Visibility: The stands must provide good visibility for all spectators, with unobstructed views of the playing field.
Amenities: The stadium must be equipped with enough restrooms and other amenities, such as food and beverage concessions and medical facilities, to accommodate the expected number of fans.
Lighting: The lighting at the stadium must meet FIFA's standards for intensity and uniformity to ensure that players and officials have good visibility during matches.
Safety: The stadium must meet all relevant safety regulations, including fire safety codes and emergency evacuation procedures.
Other requirements: In addition to the above requirements, a stadium may need to meet additional criteria depending on the specific competition or event being held there. For example, a stadium hosting a major international tournament may be required to have a certain number of luxury boxes or VIP seating areas.
Accessibility: The stadium must be accessible to all fans, including those with disabilities. This may include the provision of wheelchair ramps, accessible seating areas, and other amenities for disabled fans.
Security: The stadium must have adequate security measures in place to protect fans and players from harm. This may include measures such as security personnel, metal detectors, and CCTV cameras.
Transportation: The stadium must be easily accessible by a range of transportation options, such as public transportation, car parking, and shuttle services.
Media facilities: The stadium must have sufficient media facilities to accommodate journalists and broadcasters covering events at the venue. This may include press boxes, mixed zones, and other areas for media to work and conduct interviews.
Training facilities: The stadium may be required to have training facilities, such as practice fields or indoor training spaces, available for use by teams competing at the venue.
Hotel accommodations: The area must have sufficient hotel accommodations to house teams, officials, and other event staff.
Medical facilities: The stadium must have adequate medical facilities, including first aid stations and ambulance services, to handle any medical emergencies that may arise during an event.
Environmental sustainability: The stadium may be required to meet certain environmental standards, such as energy efficiency and waste management, in order to be certified by FIFA.
The specific requirements for hosting a FIFA game at a stadium will depend on the specific competition and the governing body responsible for the event. In general, the requirements for hosting a FIFA game will be outlined in the regulations for the competition. These regulations can typically be found on the website of the governing body or on the website for the competition.
For example, the regulations for the FIFA World Cup can be found on the FIFA website, while the regulations for the UEFA European Championship can be found on the UEFA website.
It is also worth noting that in addition to the specific requirements outlined by the governing body, there may be additional requirements that must be met in order to host a FIFA game at a particular stadium. These requirements may be related to local laws and regulations or specific to the stadium itself.
