May 24 – Eight countries, including a potential three country bid from the Gulf states, have expressed interest in the U-20 World Cup in 2021. The 2019 edition has just kicked off in Poland.
In April FIFA began the bidding process for the 2021 event with member associations having until May 21 to officially declare their interest in hosting.
Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have expressed an interest in co-hosting the tournament. They could face competition in Asia from Indonesia and a joint bid by Myanmar and Thailand, whose governments maintain close ties.
The other potential bidders come from South America. Peru were stripped of the U-17 World Cup earlier this year by the world federation over a lack of sufficient preparations, but want to bring a FIFA competition home in 2021. Brazil stepped in to replace the Peruvians and they could also join the race for the 2021 World Cup as new CBF president Rogerio Caboclo promised to be proactive in bringing more tournaments to the country.
On Friday FIFA will dispatch all bidding and hosting documents to the eight member associations. The federations have until August 30 to submit their bids. The FIFA Council is expected to appoint a host at its meeting in the final quarter of 2019
On Thursday, this year’s U-20 World Cup kicked off. Hosts Poland slumped to a 0-2 defeat in their opening match against Colombia in Group A. Senegal dispatched Tahiti 3-0 in the same group. Italy edged Mexico 2-1 in Group B, while Japan and Ecuador shared the spoils 1-1. In Friday’s pick of the games Qatar play Nigeria and Uruguay entertain Norway.
The five potential bids for the U-20 World Cup in 2021:
– Bahrain Football Association, Saudi Arabian Football Federation & United Arab Emirates Football Association
– Brazil
– Indonesia
– Myanmar and Thailand
– Peru
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1713622474labto1713622474ofdlr1713622474owedi1713622474sni@o1713622474fni1713622474