GREAT NEWS/KEEP THE EGG AWAY & KEEP THE MONEY IN FOOTBALL WHERE IT BELONGS
Wales officially snub return to Principality Stadium for opening World Cup qualifiers despite expected huge ticket demand
Wednesday 20th July 2016
BY PAUL ABBANDONATO
FAW ink in Cardiff City Stadium as venue for Moldova, Georgia and Serbia games as they rule out Principality Stadium option
Chris Coleman's Wales stars will definitely play their first three home World Cup qualifiers at their favoured Cardiff City Stadium home.
The ground has been inked in on the FAW's official website as the venue for the autumn fixtures against Moldova, Georgia and Serbia.
It means the FA of Wales are resisting the temptation to cash in on Wales' Euro 2016 success by taking games at this stage to the bigger 74,000-seater Principality Stadium.
However, they seem to be keeping their options open further down the line with the home of the Bluebirds yet to be officially confirmed on the website for the Cardiff matches with Austria and the Republic of Ireland next year.
FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford stated immediately after the Euros that Wales had to keep their options open in order to "satisfy public demand" to watch the team that rampaged to the semi-finals out in France.
That meant a switch back to the home of Welsh rugby was still a possibility. Wales have had brilliant days and dark days during a 10-year period of staging their home matches at the Millennium Stadium.
However, manager Chris Coleman made it clear he wanted to remain at Cardiff City Stadium , arguing the partisan atmosphere created by the fans was a significant factor in Wales' qualifying success.
There are also other issues at play. Wales' first qualifier with Moldova on September 5 comes just two days after a Monster Jam trucking event at Principality Stadium, so it seems inconceivable the pitch could be ready anyhow.
Their November 12 World Cup date with Serbia clashes directly with Warren Gatland's rugby men facing Argentina, which is being played at Principality Stadium.
Matthew HorwoodFans salute the players in the Cardiff City Stadium
In between, Wales host Georgia on October 9 when Principality Stadium is available, but the FAW have also inked in that one for the home of the Bluebirds.
The FAW host the 2017 Uefa Champions League Final at Principality Stadium and are keen to stage an international football match there before the biggest club game on earth takes place.
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