India set sights to host U-20 FIFA World Cup in 2019

India is hosting its first FIFA tournament this year, with the U-17 World Cup set to take place in October. . . 

All India Football Federation on Tuesday (July 4, 2017) submitted an expression of interest to host the FIFA U-20 World Cup in India in 2019.

Praful Patel, President, All India Football Federation stated that this would be the next “logical step for the development of Football in India.”

Also Read: The current developments of all the stadiums hosting U-17 World Cup

“With India hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 this year in October, we feel hosting the U-20 World Cup would be the best way to sustain the footballing momentum in India. Even though the event was held earlier this year in Asia in the Korea Republic, we would be happy to discuss with FIFA about the possibility of hosting the event in India in 2019,” he said.

The crux of the U-17 team is set to continue till 2019 and if things go in favour of India, the team will be able to represent the tri-color in respective FIFA tournaments at home, the first time in the history of the game on Indian soil. 

The format of the U-20 World Cup is same as the FIFA U-17 World Cup with 24 teams playing out of six venues.

Meanwhile, the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 will be held in India from October 6-28, 2017.