Argentina will replace Indonesia as the Host Country for the U-20 World Cup 2023, replacing Indonesia, which lost hosting rights for the games following the refusal by Bali’s Governor, Wayan Koster, to allow the Israeli team to play matches in Bali.
Argentina’s hosting of the prestigious U-20 World Cup 2023 was confirmed by the World Football Association (FIFA) on Tuesday, 18 April 2023. FIFA’s President, Gianni Infantino, posted on his Instagram Account: “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 tomorrow’s superstars of world football.”
Continuing, Infantino said: “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.”
An announcement on the FIFA website stated the decision follows the removal of the original tournament host, Indonesia, and the subsequent submission of a bid 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 inspected the associated infrastructure. The AFA has read and signed the hosting agreement, along with all other relevant documents on the part of the host and local authorities.
The FIFA U-20 World Cup will occur from 20 May to 11 June 2023 and 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. 2023 will mark the sixth time Argentina has hosted the U-20 World Cup, 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 tomorrow’s superstars of world football,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Adding: “I would like to thank the AFA, particularly its President Claudio Tapia, and the governmental authorities, for their commitment to hosting this magnificent event at such short notice.”
A total of 24 teams have qualified to play in the U-20 World Cup after having qualified via one of six continental competitions.
The U-20 World Cup will see The Dominican Republic and Israel debut in the global competition.
Argentina was selected to host the tournament replacing Indonesia, even though the South American country initially failed to qualify during the 2023 South American U-20 Championship.
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