Argentina confirmed as new Under-20 World Cup hosts

The Bureau of the FIFA Council has confirmed Argentina as the host of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup 2023 tournament.

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 May 20 to June 11 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 it’s 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, Erling­Haaland 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.”

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