Argentina will now host the FIFA U20 World Cup this year, Nigeriasoccernet.com can report.
This is coming with months to the tournament after the earlier scheduled host Indonesia were stripped off the hosting rights due to their political intolerance of Israel who qualified for the first time in their history.
Announcing the new host FIFA wrote: “FIFA is delighted to announce that this year's edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup will take place in Argentina, as the home of the world champions opens its doors to the tomorrow’s superstars of world football,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“I would like to thank the AFA and particularly its President Claudio Tapia, as well as the governmental authorities, for their commitment to hosting this magnificent event at such short notice.
“The U-20 World Cup plays a key role in FIFA’s efforts to promote youth football across the world. Since 1977, this tournament has featured some of the greatest players of the past decades, including Diego Armando Maradona, Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba, Erling Haaland and many others. Having this year’s edition taking place in a country that lives and breathes football will be a tremendous inspiration for the stars of tomorrow.”
Argentina has won the most FIFA Under 20 World Cup titles 6 times, while the Brazil has won the youth championship titles 5th times.
The Flying Eagles will be playing in the FIFA U20 World Cup for the 13th time this year.
They finished runners up twice and won the bronze once.
By Oluwayemi Omolagba