Erick Thohir Ensures That The Opening Of The U-17 World Cup Will Be Held By JIS, Closing In Solo

Jakarta International Stadium (JIS)/DOK ANTARA

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir said that the U-17 World Cup on November 10 to December 2, 2023 will be opened at the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS).

Then, the closing of this international football match will be held at Manahan Stadium, Solo, Central Java.

"The opening will be at JIS, the closure will be in Solo. But this is the opening, don't continue to be connotated like the World Cup, world championships, yes, so this is not that big," Erick said at a press conference at the PUPR Ministry office, South Jakarta, Wednesday, August 9.

Erick said FIFA had decided on four stadiums to be used as U-17 World Cup venues, namely the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS), Si Jalak Harupat (Bandung), Gelora Bung Tomo (Surabaya), and Manahan (Solo).

"Of the eight proposed fields, it ended up narrowing down only four fields," he said.

Therefore, the central government and local governments have accelerated efforts to repair the four stadiums to comply with FIFA standards to organize matches.

"Because you have to remember, today is only 93 days away. So because of the brief preparation and there are things that must be agreed on whether logistics and other funding, we want to eat as efficiently as possible," he said.

In addition, Erick revealed that FIFA asked Indonesia to increase the number of training fields for soccer athletes who will later play in the U-17 World Cup.

Previously, PSSI proposed four training ground, namely Hockey, ABC, and Madya Fields, all of which were located around GBK, as well as JIS training ground.

"The notes are from FIFA because in Jakarta there are two groups, so the addition is a training field, from four to six. We propose that there is Soemantri Brodjonegoro field in Kuningan and the bull field," said Erick.