FIFA Postpones 2021 U-20 World Cup, U-17 World Cup Until 2023

KOMPAS.com – FIFA has officially announced the postponement of the 2021 editions of the men’s FIFA U-20 World Cup and FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia and Peru, respectively..

In light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the tournaments will now be held in 2023 with both countries remaining as the hosts.

“As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bureau of the FIFA Council has decided to cancel the 2021 editions of the men’s FIFA U-20 World Cup and FIFA U-17 World Cup,” FIFA said on its official website Thursday, December 24.

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“And to appoint Indonesia and Peru respectively, who were due to host the tournaments in 2021, as the hosts of the 2023 editions.”

FIFA said that the Covid-19 pandemic continues to present challenges for the hosting of international sporting events and to have a restrictive effect on international travel.

FIFA has therefore regularly consulted the relevant stakeholders, including the host member associations as well as the confederations involved in both tournaments originally scheduled to take place in 2021.

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FIFA also said that it became clear that the global situation has failed to normalize to a sufficient level to address the challenges associated with hosting both tournaments, including the feasibility of the relevant qualification pathways.

“FIFA would like to express its gratitude to the host member associations, as well as the authorities in Indonesia and Peru, for their commitment and the tournament preparations made so far,” the statement said.

“FIFA looks forward to continuing to work closely together with the host countries to organize successful tournaments.”

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Upon hearing the news, the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) quickly responded to the official website of the federation. PSSI’s chairman Mochamad Iriawan said he respected the decision.

“We have done all preparations related to the tournament of the Indonesia U-20 World Cup in 2021,” said Mochamad Iriawan, adding that PSSI respects and supports FIFA’s decision to cancel the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2021.

“Along with FIFA, INAFOC [the Indonesia FIFA U-20 World Cup Organizing Committee], and host cities across Indonesia, PSSI hopes to work with all stakeholders to organize the next edition of the tournament in 2023,” said Mochamad Iriawan, popularly known as Iwan Bule.

(Writer: Mochamad Sadheli | Editor: Mochamad Sadheli)

Sources: https://www.kompas.com/sports/read/2020/12/24/23232828/breaking-news-fifa-resmi-tunda-piala-dunia-u20-2021-hingga-2023?page=all#page2.

https://www.kompas.com/sports/read/2020/12/24/23565398/respons-pssi-usai-fifa-undur-jadwal-piala-dunia-u20-2021.