Canada Soccer announced on Thursday that the capacity for its team’s World Cup qualifying match against United States on Jan. 30 will be reduced to 50 percent of venue capacity at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario.

The organization said it had made the decision in accordance with all relevant public health guidelines in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to the reduced capacity of 12,000 spectators, all tickets purchased as part of the original on sale date of Dec. 17 will be cancelled with full refunds provided to all ticket holders on their credit cards within two to four weeks. Canada Soccer said that it will be in direct contact with all ticket purchasers to provide details on how to access tickets for the 50 percent reduced capacity configuration.

All ticket purchasers will be provided the opportunity to purchase tickets for the USA match through a dedicated pre-sale window beginning at 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Jan. 25. A public on-sale will follow on Jan. 26 at 10 a.m. ET should inventory remain available.

Enhanced public health and safety measures will be in place at Tim Hortons Field including fans attending the match being required to provide proof of vaccination (QR code and double dose), pass through active screening upon entry, wear masks (unless eating or drinking), practice social distancing, remain in their seats unless using washrooms or purchasing food and beverage, and avoid congregating in common areas.

“We prioritize the safety of all players, staff and fans and want to acknowledge the diligent and ongoing work, not only these past few weeks, but throughout the final round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers, of our partners at all levels of government to ensure that we are able to play in front of our fans on home soil,” Canada Soccer president Dr. Nick Bontis said in a statement.

The Americans (4-1-3, 15 points) enter the winter window in second place behind Canada (4-0-4, 16) in the Concacaf Octagonal

The USMNT hosts El Salvador in Columbus, Ohio on Jan. 24, followed by a match against Canada in Hamilton, Ontario on Jan. 30 and it welcomes Honduras in St. Paul, Minn. on Feb. 2.

The three remaining matches are set for March. The USA will visit Mexico in Mexico City on March 24, faces Panama in Orlando, Fla. on March 27 before completing the Octagonal against at Costa Rica on March 30.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.