Gianni Infantino Ensures Under-20 World Cup Stays in Indonesia: I Guarantee FIFA is Here for You

FIFA President, Gianni Infantino. (Photo: Screenshot of the Presidential Secretariat Youtube)

JAKARTA - The President of the International Football Federation (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, has guaranteed that the 2023 U-20 World Cup will still take place in Indonesia. This was conveyed after meeting President Joko Widodo at the State Palace.

"Next year we will hold the Under-20 World Cup here, this is the second most important tournament after the World Cup which starts in a month in Qatar", said Gianni Infantino in a broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat Youtube.

Infantino's statement on Tuesday, October 18 at noon WIB was a breath of fresh air for Indonesia after the Kanjuruhan Tragedy. Because the incident that caused 133 fatalities were feared to threaten Indonesia's chances of hosting the U-20 World Cup.

However, FIFA believes that the collaboration with the Indonesian Government, PSSI, and AFC will be able to improve several aspects of Indonesian football, one of which is the stadium infrastructure for the comfort and safety of the audience.

"I can guarantee that FIFA is here for you, we are working with the government, the Asian federation (AFC), and the Indonesian federation (PSSI) for the transformation of football", he said.

“Because football is happiness and Indonesia is a country that has a passion for nearly 300 million people who love football. For that, when they watch football in the stadium, they have to be safe and we are focused on that."

As a tangible form of improving infrastructure, Infantino ensured that he would bring in experts for maximum improvement of Indonesian football.

“We will also pay attention to infrastructure which was one part of yesterday's tragedy. We will bring in the experts, we will make sure Indonesia can shine through football", he said.

Meanwhile, President Jokowi said that the government and FIFA agreed to ensure that the U-20 World Cup match in Indonesia could run well.

"All aspects of preparation to implementation must be ensured to run according to FIFA standards and handled properly, professionally", said Jokowi.