Agree. My pick would be Pune, Kolkata, Goa, Kochi, Bengaluru and Delhi. Mumbai and Guwahati would miss out in my opinion
Pune might also be a bit tough as the Balewadi is outside of Pune and the stadium is not exactly "world-class" is it. Massive changes are going to be needed if Pune is to get a spot.
Kolkata is also tough as I doubt Salt Lake Stadium would fill up at all but it can work. Goa is perfect already. Kochi has a good stadium. Bengaluru and Delhi are also set.
Pune Balewadi stadium is not that Outside the city. In Pune, people travel even outside then that area where stadium is for Work. So much money spent by FIFA on artificial turf-be it Bangalore, Mumbai, Calcutta. and now changing it again to grass turf doesnt makes sense. Indians cannot maintain grass turf properly and during monsoon, they all change into mud baths. That was the reason why we have artificial turf. Are we suggesting playing in July for World Cup in Kochi, Goa, Mumbai on Grass Turf when Monsoon rains are on?
Its a myth that grass pitches are not for rain-heavy countries. The simple trick is to create adequate drainage system. And yes Balewadi may be outside the city, but not in jungle. So that is another lame reason put forward
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So much money spent by FIFA on artificial turf-be it Bangalore, Mumbai, Calcutta. and now changing it again to grass turf doesnt makes sense. Indians cannot maintain grass turf properly and during monsoon, they all change into mud baths. That was the reason why we have artificial turf. Are we suggesting playing in July for World Cup in Kochi, Goa, Mumbai on Grass Turf when Monsoon rains are on?