Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) and the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) have withdrawn from their joint offer to host the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2021. This means that Indonesia is the only ASEAN nation still in contention for the rights to host the U20 world championship in 2021. In July the committee had received offers from eight countries including Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar, to host the event.
The announcement of the withdrawal by Thailand and Myanmar was made during the third ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Council Meeting for 2019-23, held in Pattaya. Ratu Tisha Destria, who is the PSSI general secretary, has said that they are happy Indonesia has appeared as the only offer from the ASEAN to host the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2021.
She also stated that with this latest development, they are hopeful that the whole of the ASEAN will support Indonesia’s offer process and following hosting of this significant FIFA championship.
AFF president Khiev Sameth said: “We welcome this new development and I would like to repeat our firm support for Indonesia in their offer to host the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2021.”
The news means that Indonesia will battle three other offers to host the FIFA U20 World Cup. Bahrain Football Association, Saudi Arabian Football Federation and United Arab Emirates Football Association have made a joint proposal to host the competition. There is also an individual offer from Brazil and Peru.
