Argentina to host FIFA U-20 World Cup
The FIFA has confirmed that Argentina will be the host of the U-20 World Cup from May 20 to June 11, replacing Indonesia, announced the governing body of football in a statement.
The decision also means that Argentina will participate in the tournament instead of Indonesia.
"FIFA is pleased to announce that this year's edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup will take place in Argentina, as the country of the current world champions opens its doors to the great stars of world football tomorrow," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the statement.
The draw "will take place on Friday, April 21 at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich."
FIFA reminded that Argentina is "the most decorated nation in the history of the U-20 World Cup, having won the title six times (the most recent in 2007)" and has already hosted the competition in 2001.
Infantino already announced in late March during a visit to the CONMEBOL headquarters in Luque (Paraguay) that Argentina had "very good chances" of hosting the tournament, after being the first country to submit its candidacy with all the requirements.
On March 29, FIFA decided to withdraw the organization of the tournament from Indonesia due to the ban imposed by the authorities of the Muslim-majority country, who wanted to prevent the participation of Israel.
The two countries do not have diplomatic relations. Indonesia also defends the Palestinian cause.
Support from the Argentine government
Hours before the FIFA announcement, the Argentine government announced in Buenos Aires its economic support for the organization of the U-20 World Cup in the country.
"The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has full support to carry out the organization (...)", said Economy Minister Sergio Massa on Monday, in a government transmission alongside the President of the local football governing body, Claudio Tapia, and other officials.
The Aliceleste had been eliminated in the qualifying round for the World Cup, but will now join the competition as the host country.
Argentina is the most successful nation in the history of the U-20 World Cup, with six titles won, including one with Diego Maradona in Japan 1979 and another with Lionel Messi in the Netherlands 2005.
The participants qualified in sports competitions are the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Fiji, New Zealand, England, France, Israel, Italy, Slovakia, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Ecuador, South Korea, Iraq, Japan, Uzbekistan, Gambia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tunisia.
The government of Argentina announced its support for the organization, despite the economic difficulties it faces with a debt contracted by the previous government with the IMF for 44.5 billion dollars and an annual inflation of 104.3%. AFP
