Football

Covid forces FIFA to postpone U-20, U-17 World Cups

FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino (L) holds the FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup Brazil 2019 trophy as he gestures after the final football match between Mexico and Brazil at the Bezerrao Stadium in Gama, Brasilia, Brazil, on November 17, 2019. (Photo by Miguel SCHINCARIOL / AFP)

FIFA has postponed next year’s U-20 World Cup in Indonesia and U-17 tournament in Peru until 2023 due to coronavirus.

“The Covid-19 pandemic continues to present challenges for the hosting of international sporting events and to have a restrictive effect on international travel, explained football’s governing body in a statement on its website.

“The global situation has failed to normalise to a sufficient level to address the challenges associated with hosting both tournaments, including the feasibility of the relevant qualification pathways.”

It added that FIFA looked forward to working with both host countries “to organise successful tournaments” in 2023.

The two events follow other international football competitions to fall victim to the virus, with Euro 2020 held over until next June, the Copa America moved to the same date, and the Africa Cup of Nations, held over until January 2022.

© Agence France-Presse via SPNAfrica News

www.spnafricanews.com

Tom Kirkwood

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