Indonesia Officially Hosts 2021 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Jakarta, MINA – Indonesia has finally been confirmed to host the 2021 U-20 World Cup. The certainty was obtained after the International Football Federation (FIFA) held a meeting in Shanghai, China, on Thursday 24th.

At the announcement in Shanghai, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that Indonesia had successfully defeated Peru in the U-20 World Cup organizing elections held in the next two years.

“Thank God, Indonesia won and was chosen to host the 2021 U-20 World Cup,” Head of Media and International Relations PSSI Gatot Widakdo told media in Jakarta on Thursday.

This is the first time Indonesia held a FIFA class tournament. The country previously hosted the Asian Cup in 2007, and it was with three other Southeast Asian countries Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. Indonesia also held a multi-event Asian Games in 1962 and 2018.

Also Read: FIFA's Latest Ranking: Indonesia Still Rank 159

Indonesia originally had to compete against four candidates to host the 2021 U-20 World Cup. The rivals were Peru, Myanmar, Thailand, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Brazil.

Myanmar-Thailand withdrew first and supported Indonesia in August 2019. The partnership of three Middle Eastern countries followed on 4 September. While Brazil withdrew a month later.

Indonesia is the seventh Asian country to host the U-20 World Cup. Indonesia follows in the footsteps of Japan (1979), Saudi Arabia (1989), Qatar (1995), Malaysia (1997), United Arab Emirates (2003), and South Korea (2017). (T/AiS/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)