Regardless, we need to be thankful for this because the trust that FIFA has in us remains high
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia has been selected by FIFA Council as host of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Chairperson Erick Thohir stated.

"I can say nothing but to express my gratitude, Praise be to God, that the FIFA Council concurred to select Indonesia as the host for this year's U-17 World Cup. It reflects the global trust in Indonesia under the leadership of President Joko Widodo," Thohir noted as per the statement received on Friday.

A FIFA Council meeting on Friday in Zurich, Switzerland, determined that Indonesia will host the U-17 World Cup that is expected to take place from November 10 to December 2 this year.

The hosting rights were earlier held by Peru. However, the rights were withdrawn last April due to uncertainty about the South American country's infrastructure conditions despite being named host in 2019.

The PSSI chief said he is yet to receive the official notification on the appointment, though he had been informed about the FIFA Council meeting's resolution from the organization's release.

"What is important right now is how we will prepare ourselves to be a good host," Thohir affirmed.

Although the FIFA release did not detail the reason for Indonesia's appointment as host, he said that the positive performance shown by the country might play a factor in the decision.

Thohir pointed out that in the last three months, several stadiums in Indonesia successfully passed the FIFA feasibility test following improvement. Moreover, Indonesia organized two FIFA Match Day agendas last week, where the national team was pitted against Palestinian and Argentine national teams.

"Regardless, we need to be thankful for this because the trust that FIFA has in us remains high. We need to maintain and prove it," Thohir remarked.

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Translator: Fajar Satriyo, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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