TORONTO: Canada 2015 is set to make history in more ways than one – not only a record number of qualifying matches and participating teams, but also the debut appearance of goal-line technology at a FIFA Women’s World Cup.

FIFA has launched a tender process open to all licensed GLT providers setting out the technical requirements for next year’s tournament, which will be hosted across six cities from coast to coast between 6 June and 5 July.

Interested companies will be invited to join an inspection visit to each of the venues in Edmonton, Moncton, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver and Winnipeg. The inspection visits are currently scheduled for January 2015, with a final decision due to be confirmed in February.

It follows on from the successful implementation of the technology at the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil, and before that the FIFA Confederations Cup as well as two FIFA Club World Cups. Given the important role GLT plays in supporting referees, FIFA is using the technology at all of its senior competitions, while other events are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

GLT was first approved by The International Football Association Board (The IFAB) in July 2012 after two years of comprehensive testing – a process that was overseen by FIFA as part of the FIFA Quality Programme.