FIFA confirmed on Monday that Argentina will replace Indonesia as the venue for the Under-20 World Cup to be played from May 20 to June 11.
“FIFA is pleased to announce that this year’s edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup will take place in Argentina, so the country of the reigning world champions will open its doors to the great world soccer stars of tomorrow. ”, declared the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino.
“I want to thank the AFA and in particular its president, Claudio Tapia, as well as the government authorities, for their commitment to host this great event at such short notice.”
The announcement came a couple of hours after the Argentine government gave its endorsement to the organization of the tournament.
“We have signed all the decrees, all the endorsements, all the international agreements that FIFA requires of us as a government,” Economy Minister Sergio Massa said earlier during an official act at the headquarters of that portfolio. “So we are ready for FIFA to announce that Argentina will host the U20 World Cup.”
Indonesia, the original venue, was stripped of hosting the pageant just days before the draw amid political turmoil in the country over Israel’s participation.
Argentina, which had not qualified for the competition, saw an opportunity and took advantage of the recent visit of FIFA President Gianni Infantino to Paraguay for the CONMEBOL Congress to offer itself as an alternative.
La Albiceleste will compete instead of Indonesia, FIFA said.
Following confirmation of the new host country, the draw will take place on Friday, April 21 in Zurich.