Review Of The 2023 U-20 World Cup Venue In Indonesia, PSSI: FIFA Potentially Strikes Out 2 Stadiums

Chairman of PSSI 2023-2027, Erick Thohir. (Photo: dock.PSSI)

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir said FIFA has the potential to reduce the number of 2023 U-20 World Cup venues to be held in Indonesia, next May. This possibility opened after FIFA conducted a re-audit process.

Erick Thohir conveyed this news after holding a meeting with FIFA representatives at the GBK Arena, Senayan on Monday, March 6 afternoon. The deletion of the stadium, which was probably carried out by FIFA, was taken based on the consideration of the feasibility of the venue.

What I want to convey from the results of the meeting discussion for the operation first. Of the 6 matches and in each city there are four training fields, this will be re-udited on March 21-27 by FIFA directly and surprisingly for me, there is a note from FIFA," said Erick Thohir after the meeting.

"FIFA has the right to drop six matches, if it is not ready (the venue is reduced) to four and the training field can also be reduced," he continued.

Regarding the two stadiums that were dropped, Erick Thohir said the decision was absolute. Later, after the deletion of venues deemed inappropriate, FIFA will not provide an option for a change of location.

With this news, the chairman of PSSI who is also the Minister of SOEs will pay close attention to all the notes made by FIFA to minimize deletion. Given that there is still enough time to improve, Erick Thohir will go down directly.

I decided on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday to visit all stadiums. I will also ask representatives from us LOC, FIFA, and representatives from the central and regional governments to come down together," he said.

"Don't let March 21, only 15 days left, bro, there are parties who blame 'This PSSI is incompetent'. I want to re-knit, the time is still there, this is the commitment of the central and regional governments including us PSSI," continued Erick.

So far, it is known that the six stadiums that have been proposed to become U-20 2023 World Cup venues are Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (Jakarta), Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium (Palembang), Si Jalak Harupat Stadium (Bandung), Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (Surabaya), Manahan Stadium (Solo), and Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium (Bali).