Manahan Stadium Becomes A Semifinal Venue And U-17 World Cup Final, This Is PSSI's Reason

The chairman of PSSI explained the reasons for choosing the Solo Manahan Stadium as the arena for the semifinals and finals of the 2023 U-17 World Cup. (Instagram/@persisofficial)

JAKARTA - Manahan Stadium, Solo has officially become a venue for the semifinals and finals of the 2023 U-17 World Cup. The decision was conveyed by PSSI after holding a meeting in the Central Jakarta area, Wednesday, July 25.

PSSI General Chairperson (Ketum) Erick Thohir said that the appointment of Manahan Stadium as the semifinal venue and final of the U-17 World Cup was based on discussions with FIFA.

"According to the conversation with FIFA, the U-20 is already at the Manahan Stadium," said Erick Thohir during a press conference.

"So FIFA says it doesn't have to be replaced anymore, so I'm not the one to decide," he added.

Furthermore, regarding the Manahan Stadium which was determined by FIFA for the semifinals and finals of the U-17 World Cup, Erick Thohir said that it was related to the selection of venues for the 2023 U-20 World Cup which in fact was canceled.

Erick Thohir said that when determining the 2023 U-20 World Cup venue, Manahan Stadium was included in the approved list and had been reviewed by FIFA, but the agenda was canceled. With that status, FIFA decided to use the same venue at the U-17 World Cup.

Apart from Manahan Stadium, Erick Thohir also mentioned that PSSI proposed two additional stadiums outside of the six venues used for the canceled U-2023 World Cup.

Since the beginning we proposed 8 stadiums, 6 of which are U-20. But we also want 2 additional stadiums so that we have more international fields for FIFA matches. Incidentally there is a championship now. FIFA certainly checks, so we don't have to polemic," he said.

The U-17 World Cup 2023 will be held in Indonesia and will take place on November 10-2 December. A total of eight organizing stadiums have been submitted to FIFA.