Gibran Says Solo Is Ready To Host The U-17 World Cup If Appointed

Gibran Rakabuming (Photo: ANTARA)

Mayor of Surakarta Gibran Rakabuming Raka said Solo City is ready if it is appointed to host the 2023 U-17 World Cup football match.

"Solo is ready because previously the Manahan Stadium was prepared for the U-20 World Cup in 2023, so all facilities are FIFA standard, but canceled," said Gibran in Solo, Saturday, June 24.

According to Gibran, the Solo Manahan Stadium will be prepared to be one of the venues for the U-17 World Cup, but is still waiting for directions from PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir.

"I have coordinated with him (Ketum PSSI), on Friday night, regarding the host of the U-17 World Cup," Gibran said as quoted by ANTARA.

Previously, PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir during a working visit at the Manahan Solo Stadium in Central Java Province, also stated that the stadium, which was appointed as one of the venues for the U-20 World Cup football match, was very ready.

The FIFA Council appointed Indonesia to host the U-17 World Cup through an official FIFA statement released on June 23. The decision was issued in conjunction with the FIFA announcement that appointed the United States (US) to host the 2025 Club World Cup, which uses a new format, namely competing with 32 teams.

The FIFA Council also appointed Indonesia as host of the U-17 World Cup, Colombia as host of the 2024 U-20 Women's World Cup, the Dominican Republic as host of the 2024 Women's World Cup, and Uzbekistan as host of the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup. The time frames of each of the competitions will be confirmed in the near future.

According to PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir, he is grateful that the FIFA world football body appointed Indonesia to host the 2023 U-17 World Cup.

"I can only express my gratitude and thank God because the FIFA Council made a joint decision to appoint Indonesia to host the U-17 World Cup this year. This is a form of world trust in Indonesia under the leadership of President Joko Widodo," he said.

Indonesia has been appointed to host the 2023 U-17 World Cup through a joint decision at the FIFA Council session which was held at FIFA Headquarters, Zurich, Switzerland. So far, FIFA has scheduled the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2023 to be held from November 10 to December 2 this year.

However, Erick said that his party had not received an official notification letter.

"This is just an announcement released by FIFA at the FIFA Council trial on Friday night in Zurich. Now the most important thing is how Indonesia prepares itself to be a good host," said Erick.