The (U-20) Asian Cup is just about to start, so apart from Indonesia, we do not know (who will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup from the Asia zone) yet.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The trophy tour of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup will not only be conducted at the six host cities but also at four non-host cities, including Jayapura City, Papua Province.

“If I am not mistaken (the trophy tour will also be held) in Pekanbaru (Riau Province), Balikpapan (East Kalimantan Province), Makassar (South Sulawesi Province), and Jayapura (Papua Province),” Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali stated during a media briefing here on Friday.

Meanwhile, the designated six host cities comprise Jakarta, Bandung in West Java Province, Solo in Central Java Province, Surabaya in East Java Province, Gianyar in Bali Province, and Palembang in South Sumatra Province.

The minister noted that FIFA had appointed Bali to conduct the draw for the group stage of the cup at the end of March 2023.

He noted that the draw will be conducted at the end of March after the completion of all regional qualifying championships, including the 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations held in Egypt as well as AFC U-20 Asian Cup held in Uzbekistan.

"The (U-20) Asian Cup is just about to start, so apart from Indonesia, we do not know (who will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup from the Asia zone) yet,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the qualifying championships in the other confederations, namely in the Europe (UEFA); North America, Central America, and Caribbean (CONCACAF); South America (CONMEBOL); as well as Oceania (OFC), had been completed.

"Thus, we do not know who will be our opponent (in the group stage) yet,” Amali remarked

However, he noted that all participating countries -- New Zealand, Fiji, Guatemala, and Indonesia -- in the 2023 U-20 Mini Tournament organized by the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) had managed to secure a spot in the World Cup.

The mini tournament was held at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, on February 17-21, 2023, as part of the Indonesian national team’s preparations for the cup.

Meanwhile, in addition to the four countries, other representatives that qualified to play in the FIFA U-20 World Cup are the Dominican Republic, Honduras, the United States, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay, England, France, Israel, Italy, and Slovakia.

Furthermore, the minister spoke of having met with Chairperson of PSSI Erick Thohir to discuss about promoting the implementation of the cup in the six hosting cities.

The attempt will be made by the Indonesia FIFA U-20 World Cup Organizing Committee (INAFOC) and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of each host city.

"Yesterday, I had a meeting with Mr. Erick (Thohir) to clarify the division of tasks between INAFOC and LOC (regarding the promotion of the event)," Amali said.


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Translator: Arindra Meodia, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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