Argentina submits bid to replace Indonesia as host of FIFA U-20 World Cup
Following of the withdrawal of hosting rights initially given to Indonesia by FIFA, Argentina has moved to submit submitted a formal bid to host this year’s Under-20 World Cup.
This is just as real reasons which caused FIFA to withdraw Indonesia’s hosting rights emerged.
Argentina is yet the only country to submit a formal offer, as FIFA will decide whether to accept the proposal in two or three days with the tournament scheduled to kick-off on May 20.
“We all know Argentine football and surely it can host a competition of this level,” FIFA president, Gianni Infantino told a news conference in Paraguay, where he will take part in the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) Congress, Friday.
“There are other countries that have also announced interest but as a candidacy, with the government’s guarantees and other details, Argentina is the first and we will make the decision in two or three days,” he added.
FIFA stopped Indonesia from hosting the event after the country’s soccer federation (PSSI) said it had cancelled the draw because the governor of the island of Bali refused to host the Israel team.
“Israel is in favour of Argentina hosting, they deserve it as world champions. It is a very nice and big country, with excellent facilities. I hope they can also organise the 2030 World Cup,” Israel’s Ambassador to Argentina, Eyal Sela, said.
It would be recalled that with barely two month to the event, world football governing body, FIFA had, Thursday, announced withdrawing hosting rights for the forthcoming 2023 U-20 World Cup originally scheduled for Indonesia.
Nigeria, along with three other African countries have already qualified for the tournament, a ticket picked after reaching in the semi-finals of the AFCON U-20 championship in Egypt, earlier this month.
According to sources, FIFA’s decision came after a meeting with Indonesia’s Football governing body.
“Following today’s meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Erick Thohir, FIFA has decided, due to the current circumstances, to remove Indonesia as the host of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023.
“A new host will be announced as soon as possible, with the dates of the tournament currently remaining unchanged. Potential sanctions against the PSSI may also be decided at a later stage.
“FIFA would like to underline that despite this decision, it remains committed to actively assisting the PSSI, in close cooperation and with the support of the government of President Widodo, in the transformation process of Indonesian football following the tragedy that occurred in October 2022. Members of the FIFA team will continue to be present in Indonesia in the coming months and will provide the required assistance to the PSSI, under the leadership of President Thohir.
“A new meeting between the FIFA President and the PSSI President for further discussions will be scheduled shortly,” the statement read.
The planned U20 FIFA World Cup was scheduled to run from May 20 to June 11 in Indonesia.
