FIFA has confirmed that it has withdrawn the 2023 under-17 World Cup from Peru over what it described as the ‘inability of the host country to fulfil its commitments to completing the infrastructure required’.
According to the governing body of world football, the 24-team competition would still be staged on the planned dates, November 10-December 2 and it ‘will now designate a new host in due course’.
The biennial competition was due to be held in Peru in 2021 but was cancelled because of the Covid pandemic. Brazil won as hosts in 2019.
FIFA said in its statement that ‘despite a very positive working relationship’ with the Peruvian football federation, ‘it has been determined that there is now not sufficient time to secure the required investment and complete the necessary work with the Peruvian government ahead of the tournament start date’.
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It said ‘it remains open to organising a competition in Peru in the future’.
The withdrawal of hosting rights from Peru has ignited speculation about which country will step in to host the event. Countries with established infrastructure and a proven track record in hosting major tournaments may emerge as frontrunners in the race to secure hosting rights.
Africa Today News, New York recalls that sometime last week, FIFA withdrew the Under-20 World Cup, scheduled for May 20-June 11, from Indonesia because the governors of two of the country’s provinces wanted to ban Israel, which had qualified for the first time.
The decision was reached after a meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Erick Thohir.
The 24-team tournament is scheduled to hold from 20 May to 11 June across six cities and Nigeria’s Flying Eagles and three other African countries, Senegal, Gambia, and Tunisia, are billed to participate in the cadet Mundial.