AIFF optimistic of hosting 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2019 in India

New Delhi: India’s football governing body All India Football Federation (AIFF) has, on Tuesday, expressed interest on hosting the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup 2019 in India.

With the FIFA Under-17 World Cup coming up in India, the country is all set to host its first ever World Cup, later this year.

The tournament, which will feature 24 teams, including hosts India, will be played across six cities over a space of 22 days. India’s group matches will be played in New Delhi, after their matches were shifted to the capital from Mumbai recently.

Speaking on the development, AIFF chief Praful Patel termed this as the next “logical step for the development of football in India”.

“With India hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup this year in October, we feel hosting the U-20 World Cup would be the best way to sustain the footballing momentum in India,” he said.

“Even though the U-20 World Cup was held earlier this year in Korea Republic, we would be happy to discuss with FIFA about the possibility of hosting the event in India in 2019,” he further stated.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup will kick-off on October 6 and the final will be played on October 28, at the Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata.