Rumors Of The U-20 World Cup Will Be Postponed Blows, PSSI Responds

PSSI Chairman Mochamad Iriawan (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - PSSI Chairman Mochamad Iriawan has dismissed rumors that the 2021 U-20 World Cup in Indonesia will be postponed, due to the high rate of transmission of COVID-19 around the world.

"Until now, we have not heard of the U-20 World Cup being postponed by FIFA. There are rumors, but there is no information being postponed," said Iriawan in a webinar monitored by Antara, Wednesday, November 4.

Iriawan said that until now FIFA had not made a statement that the event would be postponed. So PSSI continued to launch preparations starting from the national team squad and supporting facilities.

According to him, the construction of supporting facilities for the U-20 World Cup is still on the agenda. The U-19 national team will also be flown abroad again to hold a training camp.

"Indeed there are rumors and PSSI has heard of it, but there is no information from FIFA and we are still making preparations and the team remains on the roadmap where TC departs next month," he said.

The former West Java Police Chief stated that Indonesia should be able to hold the U-20 World Cup successfully, both in terms of implementation and achievement.

Because, if it is able to be a good host and the players can show a brilliant game, then Indonesia will be looked at by other countries and it will not be difficult when proposing to host another big tournament.

"This is a rare moment for every country that is elected to host football so that this is our moment to be recognized by the world," he said.

Previously, the U-19 national team returned to Indonesia after undergoing TC in Croatia for several months. They were originally to be returned to their respective clubs to increase their flying hours in tight competitions, but PSSI and PT LIB decided to suspend the league until next year.

PSSI is also targeting the Netherlands, Japan, or South Korea as another place for the Indonesian national team to hold a training camp for the U-20 World Cup.