Jakarta (ANTARA) - The successful implementation of the 2023 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) U-20 World Cup could bolster Indonesia’s bid for hosting the senior men's team world cup,
Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali said.
The government truly expects the tournament to run successfully, Amali said, as quoted on the Youth and Sports Ministry’s website on Thursday. “Because, if it (the FIFA U-20 World Cup) succeeds, it can be a big advantage for Mr. Erick (Erick Thohir, chairperson of the Indonesian Football Association or PSSI) and other PSSI officers for proposing to host (the tournament for) the senior football (teams)," he explained.
FIFA and other countries will recognize Indonesia as a great host if the FIFA U-20 World Cup is carried out well, thus it will benefit Indonesia in the bidding process for bigger events, the minister emphasized.
Hence, he asked the public to provide excellent hospitality to the players, officials, and supporters of the tournament "Because we are well-known as a friendly nation, we should show that we welcome anyone, both the national team and supporters, who come from other countries," Amali noted.
He said he is optimistic that the good cooperation between the government and PSSI will make the international event a success. The 2023 U-20 FIFA World Cup will be held from May 20 to June 11 and will be joined by 24 countries.
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So far, 20 countries have qualified for the tournament, namely Indonesia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, the United States, Fiji, New Zealand, England, France, Israel, Italy, Slovakia, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, the Gambia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tunisia.
The Indonesian government has proposed six venues for the cup, including Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (Jakarta), Si Jalak Harupat Stadium (Bandung, West Java Province), Manahan Stadium (Solo, Central Java Province), and Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (Surabaya, East Java Province).
The other venues comprise Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring Stadium (Palembang, South Sumatra Province) and Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium (Gianyar, Bali Province).
