Argentina to continue World Cup legacy with hosting rights

U20 World Cup Argentina to continue World Cup legacy with hosting rights

Ayoola Kelechi 20:58 - 30.03.2023

Argentina is set to host the next FIFA u20 World Cup after submitting the only bid to replace Indonesia

Argentina are now set to host the 2023 U20 World Cup after Indonesia had their rights as hosts stripped by FIFA. 

The Asian country had been set to host this year's under-20 World Cup, and had things in place for the tournament, but were removed as hosts following a dispute with FIFA which caused President Gianni Infantino to announce that the South East Asian country would no longer be able to host the tournament. 

FIFA’s decision to strip Indonesia of hosting rights

Trouble started brewing when the governor of the Indonesian province of Bali said he would not be willing to host an Israeli delegation of players, citing the country’s treatment of Palestine as his reason. 

Following talks with the president of the Indonesian Football Association, FIFA announced that there would be no tournament in Indonesia after failing to come to an agreement. 

In the ensuing chaos, Argentina have now thrown their hats inro the ring in a bid to host the 2023 U20 FIFA World Cup, submitting a bid to be recognised as the new hosts. 

Argentina in pole position for hosting rights

Despite rumoured interest from Peru and Qatar, only Argentina have submitted a formal bid for the hosting rights, and this puts them in pole position to lad the role with the FIFA President noting their bid with interest at a recent speaking event. 

President Infantino was speaking ahead of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) Congress in Paraguay when he commented about Argentina’s proposed bid saying, "We all know Argentine football and surely it can host a competition of this level. 

Infantino also confirmed that Argentina were the only ones to have made a bid, and set a date for the selection of a new host country for the U20 World Cup. 

He concluded, “There are other countries that have also announced interest but as a candidacy, with the government's guarantees and other details, Argentina is the first and we will make the decision in two or three days. 

Argentina have won the most u20 World Cups in the tournament's history, including the 2005 and 2007 editions where Argentine legends Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero secured titles for the country. 

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