By Promise Eze
Argentina will host the Under-20 World Cup from May 20 to June 11, FIFA said Monday, after taking the tournament from Indonesia just weeks before kick-off.
FIFA also disclosed that the tournament draws would take place in Zurich on April 21.
“The Bureau of the FIFA Council has confirmed Argentina as the host of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023,” the statement reads.
“The decision follows the removal of the original tournament host, Indonesia, as well as a 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.”
Argentina put itself forward as an alternative host, and FIFA conducted an on-site inspection of facilities last week.
The draw will take place on April 21 in Zurich.
Hours before Monday’s FIFA announcement, the Argentine government expressed its full backing for the hosting bid by the Argentine Football Association (AFA).
Indonesia does not have any formal diplomatic ties with Israel and there were local agitations that Israel be stopped from competing in the tournament — in support of Palestine.
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will be competing in the tournament after booking a place following a third-place finish in the U-20 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) last month.
