An unlikely venue surfaced Wednesday in U.S. Soccer's bid to stage the Women's World Cup when the Canadian Soccer Association announced it wanted games played in Edmonton.

The CSA announced it has ''officially informed'' FIFA and U.S. Soccer of its interest to play host to one of four first-round groups should the tournament be awarded to the United States. Canada, which has qualified for the 16-nation tournament, would be placed in the Edmonton group.

''We are hopeful that the fantastic success we experienced in Edmonton during the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship will be a big advantage to our bid,'' CSA President Andy Sharpe said in a statement.

Unexpectedly large crowds, with nearly 50,000 for the championship game, attended U-19 matches at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. More than 34,000 tickets have been sold for a Mexico-Canada friendly Aug. 31 at Commonwealth.

''The discussions we've had with FIFA that began yesterday are only for a U.S. bid,'' said Jim Moorhouse, U.S. Soccer's director of communications. ''Ultimately, it's up to FIFA to decide what's best for the tournament and if [Canada playing host to games is] something they want to consider.''

The Edmonton bid is based on an assumption that each of four first-round groups would be played at one venue, with three doubleheaders. U.S. Soccer has not announced a competition plan, and venues have not been determined.

Officials at RFK Stadium in Washington have offered their facility for the tournament, and U.S. Soccer President Robert Contiguglia said Columbus Crew Stadium and the nearly completed Home Depot National Training Center in Southern California were likely venues.

CONCACAF President Jack Warner supports the Canadian bid, the CSA reported.

A U.S. Soccer delegation met with FIFA officials Tuesday about bringing the fourth Women's World Cup to the United States next fall. The tournament on Saturday was pulled out of China because of the deadly SARS virus outbreak.

Canada also has been affected by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, with all of its cases linked to the Toronto area. Edmonton, in Alberta, is nearly 1,700 miles from Toronto.

Australia and Sweden also have bid to play host the World Cup, and Brazil and Italy have indicated interest. FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said a replacement for China may not be in place until the end of May.