Bali Will Be The Location For The 2023 U-20 World Cup Group Draw Held On March 31

Mascot for the 2023 U-20 World Cup in Indonesia. (Photo: PSSI)

JAKARTA – The draw for the group phase of the 2023 U-20 World Cup for Indonesia will be held on March 31. Bali is planned to be chosen as the location for the event.

This was conveyed by Lead Project LOC (Local Organizing Committee) for the 2023 U-20 World Cup Maaike Ira Puspita when met at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Thursday, 9 February 2023.

"On March 31, there will be an official drawing. The plan is for Bali. This is still being communicated with FIFA," she said.

The series of events welcoming the U-20 World Cup has started with the event "100 Days Towards the 2023 Indonesia U-20 World Cup" which was held at the Bung Karno Main Stadium on Thursday, 9 February.

The World Cup countdown was marked by the symbolization of a penalty kick taken by PSSI Chairman Mochamad Iriawan, Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali, and head coach Shin Tae Yong.

Ira said the series of events would later be continued with an experience trophy as well to welcome the most prestigious age group event. However, everything is currently still in the communication stage with FIFA.

"Then after that, there will be a plan for us to have an experience trophy as well. Then the opening and closing are still under discussion [with FIFA]. We communicate very intensely," she said.

The 2023 U-20 World Cup will take place from 20 May to 11 June. Indonesia, which has the status of host, is confirmed to be included in Group A.

In total, 14 teams have confirmed that they will qualify, including Indonesia, which automatically enters the finals due to its host status.

The other 13 countries are Brazil, Uruguay, Italy, England, Slovakia, Fiji, New Zealand, the United States, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, France, and Israel. Thus, there are still 10 tickets up for grabs.