Approximately 1,000 volunteers will support in 24 roles during the 24-team showpiece event, which will take place across four Host Cities: Santiago, Valparaíso, Rancagua and Talca.

FIFA is looking for passionate and enthusiastic volunteers to help make this year’s edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup an unforgettable experience. Volunteers play a key role at FIFA tournaments and events, not only in terms of their specific functions, but also in their role as ambassadors for the country that they represent. Volunteers, who are at the heart of the action, are a prime example of how football unites the world.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age before 1 June, have a good command of English (knowledge of additional languages is a bonus) and be available for the duration of the tournament (from 27 September to 19

October), including pre-event training sessions. In addition, applicants must be passionate about teamwork and have a friendly and proactive attitude.

Certain roles may have specific requirements in terms of skills or experience, details of which will be shared during the interview process. Anyone interested in volunteering is advised to act fast, as applications will close once a sufficient number have been received.

The competition slogan, Legends in the Making, underscores how the event will showcase the talents of world football’s brightest prospects. Do you want to be a part of that?

The registration link is volunteer.fifa.com .

Credit: FIFA

And this was what was confirmed after the “gurises”, the Uruguayan Under 20s, won the final of the FIFA youth tournament against Italy to win the  title for the first time.

These guys had played a great South American tournament and reached the final where they lost to Brazil. As vice-champions and with great enthusiasm, while avoiding the pressure of having to advance and being on the podium – as the Uruguayan fans always expect – they started the World Cup, winning by a landslide 4-0 victory against Iraq, which presented them with no difficulties.

Then England came, a very difficult match, but they approached it the same way. They played with a lot of dynamics, intensity and good collective expression, but they found a team that defended well, with great physicality, and that counterattacked, with great luck, and with the help of some Uruguayan defensive error, England, that attacked on three occasions, scored 3 goals to beat the Celestes 3-2.

They closed their performance in the group stage by beating Tunisia 1-0 and finishing 2nd in the group.

In the knockout round, first was Gambia, runner-up in Africa. Intense game that cost both teams an expulsion each. Uruguay won it 1-0. But they lost a lot in the expulsion of Luciano Rodríguez for an almost childish action typical of his age.

Then, the promoted U-20 team from the United States, who had been undefeated and with a clean sheet, fell to the Uruguayan team 2-0.

In the semifinals, the opponent to beat was Israel, UEFA vice-champions. The victory for Uruguay was 1-0. A very exhausting match, suffering, but giving everything, they managed to get to the final. With only 4 field players as substitutes since some members of the squad were left due to injuries. In addition to the expelled, this was the development of Uruguay’s performance in the six games prior to the grand finale.

On the big day, they faced Italy, who reached the final for the first time. For Uruguay, it was the third time, after losing to Argentina in 1997 and France in 2013.  It was confirmed that third time is the charm.

The Uruguayan boys were superior. They generated 12 goal-scoring opportunities against two for Italy and with four minutes remaining they got the much-needed goal and tasted victory. Deserved and fair. It fell short in score, but ratified Uruguay’s great campaign.

This coronation gives credit to hundreds of children’s football coaches, mothers and fathers who every week and weekend take their boys to play football. There are 70,000 girls and boys who play, compete, want to win, learn to win and they seek glory.

Boys who very young reach the first division. That’s how young they go abroad, and they appear, they continue, nourishing that inexhaustible quarry that is and has been Uruguayan football. Something often inexplicable for a small country of 3.5 million inhabitants.

The triumph is based on the work of a team of professionals, who put together a very solid, supportive, collaborative group, who fought against many adversities and even a complex, debatable expulsion that prevented a player of great conditions from being present in two key matches, but served his sanction and got to play the final. Fate reserved the magical moment for him and Luciano Rodriguez scored the goal that gave all his teammates and the people – who filled the Estadio de la Plata to cheer on Uruguay – the World Cup.

Credit: AIPS Media

“Dear football fans, dear friends, queridos amigos, it gives me great, great pleasure to address you before the Draw for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023, the 23^rd edition of this wonderful tournament, which gives us a glimpse of the stars of the future,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino prior to the beginning of the draw.

“Congratulations to all 23 teams who have qualified. And thank you to Argentina and particularly the Argentinian Football Association and its President, Chiqui Tapia, as well as the governmental authorities for staging this fantastic event. Muchas gracias, Argentina!”

In addition to the draw ceremony, FIFA also confirmed the match schedule and Host Cities for the tournament.

FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 groups confirmed

Twenty‑four teams were drawn into six groups of four during the draw ceremony, hosted by presenter Samantha Johnson and conducted by FIFA Director of Tournaments Jaime Yarza. FIFA Legends Juan Pablo Sorin (Argentina) and David Trezeguet (France) were on hand to assist with the ceremony.

Click here to view the groups of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023

Match schedule, Host Cities confirmed

The FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 will take place across four cities: La Plata, Mendoza, San Juan and Santiago del Estero.

The tournament will open on 20 May with four matches on the opening day in San Juan and Santiago del Estero, including hosts Argentina taking on Uzbekistan in Santiago del Estero Stadium. Both cities will also play host to the quarter-final, while La Plata Stadium will host the semi-finals, play-off for third place and the final.

Click here to view the match schedule (kick-off times TBC)

Credit: FIFA

The decision follows the removal of the original tournament host, Indonesia, as well as a subsequent bid submitted by the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) and an on-site inspection by a FIFA delegation to the South American country last week. The delegation members visited the proposed tournament venues and associated infrastructure. The hosting agreement has been signed by the AFA, along with all other relevant documents on the part of the host and local authorities.

The FIFA U-20 World Cup will take place from 20 May to 11 June 2023 and will feature six groups of four teams. Having been awarded the hosting rights to the tournament, Argentina will compete in the event in place of Indonesia. Argentina is the most successful nation in the history of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, having won the tournament six times, most recently in 2007. The country also hosted the competition in 2001.

“FIFA is delighted to announce that this year’s edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup will take place in Argentina, as the home of the world champions opens its doors to the tomorrow’s superstars of world football,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “I would like to thank the AFA and particularly its President Claudio Tapia, as well as the governmental authorities, for their commitment to hosting this magnificent event at such short notice.

“The U-20 World Cup plays a key role in FIFA’s efforts to promote youth football across the world. Since 1977, this tournament has featured some of the greatest players of the past decades, including Diego Armando Maradona, Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba, Erling Haaland and many others. Having this year’s edition taking place in a country that lives and breathes football will be a tremendous inspiration for the stars of tomorrow.”

Following the confirmation of the new hosts, the Official Draw of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 will take place on Friday 21 April at the Home of FIFA in Zurich. Further details will be provided in due course.

Credit: FIFA Communications

FIFA will announce a new host for the FIFA U20 World Cup on the following day. Argentina, who laid a hosting bid, is tipped as the most favoured candidate.

OBJECTION

The Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, had called for the ban on Israel in an official communique for Indonesia’s Ministry of Sports, due to Indonesia’s support of Palestine. Vast protests against Israel’s participation in the Under-20 World Cup were also held in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta.

Israel has qualified for the first time as one among 24 other nations. The tournament was set to be held from May 20 to June 11, in 6 stadiums across Indonesia, and for 52 games, including one in Gianyar, Bali. The official draw was scheduled to be held in Bali this week.

STRATEGIC PLAN

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has met with PSSI general chairperson Erick Thohir to discuss the situation, Infantino explained that funding will be frozen until further notice, justifying that FIFA would assess a strategic plan to improve Indonesian football before lifting the restrictions. The PSSI was previously suspended in 2015 due to Governmental interference.

GRASROOT LEVELS

During the discussions, Thohir suggested strategies aimed at improving performance from grassroots to Indonesian football, sharing commitments made by Indonesian President Joe Widodo to add infrastructure for the game across the country. FIFA has expressed their support to PSSI and offered its assistance where needed.

A VALUABLE LESSON

Joko Widodo, the President of Indonesia, spoke on how this situation should be a “valuable lesson” for Indonesians “Last night I received a report from the general chairperson of PSSI, Erick Thohir, that FIFA has decided to cancel the Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia, of course, we have to respect this decision. Make this a valuable lesson for all of us, for Indonesian national football.” said Widodo in a press statement.

Widido spoke with Thohir, asking him to do “everything in his power” to ensure Indonesia avoids further sanctions.

A CELEBRATION FOR ARGENTINA

Argentina has submitted a bid to host the FIFA Under-20 World Cup after Indonesia was stripped of the hosting rights, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed the interest from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 champions for the U20 event, scheduled to take place from May 20 to June 11. This could be seen as a way of continuing the national celebrations, while Argentina is part of a joint South American bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

“We all know Argentine football and surely it can host a competition of this level,” said Infantino.

“There are other countries that have also announced interest but as a candidacy, with the Government’s guarantees and other details, Argentina is the first and we will make the decision in two or three days,” he added.

Credit: AIPS Media