Argentina replaces Indonesia to host the U20 World Cup

The decision was approved after the FIFA Council considered the proposal of the Argentinian Football Federation's hosting plan, as well as a survey of the country's facilities and infrastructure.

"FIFA is pleased to announce that this year's U20 World Cup will take place in Argentina, the home country of the reigning world champion," FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced on April 17. He reiterated the importance of the U20 World Cup, the biggest playground for teenage players.

President Infantino emphasized that the two biggest icons of Argentine football, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, both attended the U20 World Cup. Besides, stars like Paul Pogba and Erling Haaland also grew up from this tournament.

Argentina is the most successful team in the U20 World Cup. They have won six times, including the 2005 tournament where Messi shined with a double title of Best Player and Top Scorer.

Argentina will host the tournament from May 20 to June 11 with 24 teams participating. U20 Argentina did not qualify, but replaced U20 Indonesia as the host. They have some young stars like Alejandro Garnacho (Man Utd), Luka Romero (Lazio), Nicolas Paz (Real Madrid), Valentin Carboni (Inter) or Maximo Perrone (Man City).

FIFA on March 29 announced that it would strip Indonesia of the right to host the 2023 U20 World Cup, after the authorities of the two provinces of Bali and Central Java announced that they would not allow Israeli players to enter.

The Southeast Asian representative won the place to host the U20 World Cup 2021 on October 24, 2019, but that tournament was canceled because of Covid-19. Indonesia kept the right to host the 2023 U20 World Cup, until recent tense developments in the country led FIFA to strip them of their host status.