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Football: FIFA withdraws Indonesia U20 World Cup 2023

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The World Football Association (FIFA) has withdrawn Indonesia from hosting the U20 World Cup over political turmoil over Israel’s participation. Indonesia had been excluded from hosting the 24-team tournament “due to current circumstances,” FIFA said on Wednesday, without giving details.

The decision came at a meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Erick Thohir. The PSSI had previously canceled the group draw because the governor of the predominantly Hindu island of Bali, Wayan Koster, announced at the weekend that he wanted to prevent the Israeli team from entering the country.

Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation. The country, which is rife with anti-Semitism, has no formal diplomatic relations with Israel but publicly supports the Palestinians. It is unclear who could now host the tournament, which was to be played in six stadiums in Indonesia from May 20 to June 11, 2023. Argentina, who failed to qualify for the tournament, are reportedly interested.

Sanctions against Indonesia possible

“A new host will be announced as soon as possible, with the dates of the tournament currently remaining unchanged,” FIFA said. Sanctions against the Indonesian federation have not been ruled out. A potential ban could see Indonesia out of Asia’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins in October.

Austria is not one of the 24 nations participating in the 2023 U20 World Cup. The 2022 U19 European Championship in Slovakia served as a qualifying tournament for the five European starting places. There, Israel secured their ticket for the U20 World Cup for the first time by reaching the final. The team lost 3-1 in that England. Austria missed out on a ticket to the finals after losing 1-0 to Slovakia in the World Cup play-off.

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