The U20 World Cup, to be held in Indonesia, is in doubt following a call by governor of Bali Wayan Koster who called for a ban on Israel playing there because of Indonesia’s diplomatic support for the Palestinian cause, reports Nigeriasoccernet.com.
This led to FIFA postponing the men’s Under-20 World Cup finals draw resulting from the host nation Indonesia’s issues with Israel’s qualification, the Indonesian soccer federation said Sunday.
The decision was announced five days before FIFA was due to make the 24-nation draw Friday on the island of Bali for the May 20 – June 11 tournament, which includes debutant Israel.
The six stadiums due to be used for the 52-game tournament include one in the Balinese city of Gianyar.
Protests against Israel’s participation were also held in the Indonesian capital Jakarta last week by conservative Islamic groups.
Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, with about 277 million people, and it does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel.
However, Indonesian soccer and public authorities agreed to FIFA’s hosting requirements in 2019 before being selected to host the 2021 edition of the Under-20 World Cup. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the tournament to be postponed for two years.
Israel qualified last June for its first-ever Under-20 World Cup when it reached the semifinals of the Under-19 European Championship. The team went on to lose the final to England.
If Indonesia fails to resolve its hosting issues over Israel, the national soccer federation risks being suspended by FIFA. That sanction can remove Indonesia from Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup that starts in October.
The Indonesia soccer federation president is Erick Thohir, a former co-owner of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers. He is also a former president of Inter Milan, the storied Italian soccer club whose fans include FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
If a suitable solution is not found, FIFA will likely change the host country. Some rumours suggest that Qatar is ready to replace Indonesia to host the 2023 U20 World Cup.
Argentina are also said to be inline to host the tournament should FIFA decide to move it away from Indonesia.
According to DobleAmarilla, the AFA have offered to host the tournament and should it be held in Argentina, it would mean that as hosts, they will be at the tournament.
South American qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup was held back in January but the team failed to qualify for the tournament.