FIFA confirms Argentina as new host of 2023 U-20 World Cup

World football governing body, FIFA has officially confirmed Argentina as the new host of its forthcoming U-20 World Cup, following the withdrawal of the initial hosting rights to Indonesia.

The decision follows the subsequent bid submitted by the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) and an on-site inspection by a FIFA delegation to the South American country last week.

The delegation members visited the proposed tournament venues and associated infrastructure. The hosting agreement has been signed by the AFA, along with all other relevant documents on the part of the host and local authorities.

The FIFA U-20 World Cup will take place from 20 May to 11 June 2023 and will feature six groups of four teams. Having been awarded the hosting rights to the tournament, Argentina will compete in the event in place of Indonesia.

Argentina is the most successful nation in the history of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, having won the tournament six times, most recently in 2007. The country also hosted the competition in 2001.

“FIFA is delighted to announce that this year’s edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup will take place in Argentina, as the home of the world champions opens its doors to the tomorrow’s superstars of world football,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

“I would like to thank the AFA and particularly its President Claudio Tapia, as well as the governmental authorities, for their commitment to hosting this magnificent event at such short notice.

“The U-20 World Cup plays a key role in FIFA’s efforts to promote youth football across the world. Since 1977, this tournament has featured some of the greatest players of the past decades, including Diego Armando Maradona, Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba, Erling Haaland and many others. Having this year’s edition taking place in a country that lives and breathes football will be a tremendous inspiration for the stars of tomorrow,” Infantino said.

Following the confirmation of the new hosts, the Official Draw of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 will take place on Friday 21 April at the Home of FIFA in Zurich.

Oracle Today recalls that following the withdrawal of hosting rights initially given to Indonesia by FIFA, Argentina moved to submit 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.

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 also be recalled that with barely two months to the event, FIFA had, 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, last 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.