Argentina’s intentions to organize the Under 20 World Cup to be held in Indonesia received strong support after what FIFA will officially confirm this Wednesday that it withdrew the venue of the tournament from the Asian country. With no organizer designated, Argentina has already expressed its intentions to become the host of a contest for which she is not classified.
“Following today’s meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and his counterpart at the Football Federation of Indonesia (PSSI), Erik Thohir, FIFA has decided to withdraw Indonesia as the host country of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup Due to the current circumstances,” FIFA reported through an official statement, in which it anticipated that the tournament will be played on the scheduled dates and will define the new venue “as soon as possible.” According to the schedule, the tournament is scheduled between May 20 and June 11.
As Indonesia stood firm in its position of not accepting Israel in the competition to defend the Palestinian cause, FIFA carried out the threat to take away the venue. Last Friday the draw for the group stage to be held on the island of Bali had already been canceled because both the organizing country and Iraq did not want to share the same area as Israel.
Following FIFA’s decision, Argentina has already offered itself as a candidate to carry out the contest and, at the same time, put the country as a showcase for what would be the application for the 2030 Senior World Cup, together with Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay. In addition, it would be the last opportunity to participate in the contest, taking into account that The Sub 20 team directed by Javier Mascherano was eliminated in the South American which was held in Colombia last January and could not qualify for the competition.
Argentina already hosted a Sub 20 World Cup in 2001 under the technical direction of José Pekerman, and with figures of the stature of Andrés D’Alessandro, Javier Saviola, Leandro Romagnoli, Maximiliano Rodríguez and Leonardo Ponzio. That team became champion by defeating Ghana 3-0 in the final played at the Vélez stadium.
