After the successful hosting of the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017, India has now won the bid to host the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2020. The decision was taken at the FIFA Council held in Miami on Friday (March 15, 2019), who awarded the tournament to India ahead of Armenia and France.
All India Football Federation President Mr. Praful Patel described it as a “proud moment” for Indian Football.
“We felt the football evolution which India attained in the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 needed to continue, and as part of AIFF’s commitment towards the development of Women’s Football, we decided to bid for the U-17 Women’s World Cup,” Mr. Patel stated. “The tournament will be massive as this time it will also galvanize the girls of the country, making it more popular,” he added.
“However, winning the bid was a lesser challenge. The bigger challenge of hosting the showpiece actually lies ahead, especially after the standards which we have set for ourselves in the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017,” the AIFF President maintained.
“I need to thank FIFA for keeping their trust in us and granting us the rights to host the tournament. I am also grateful to the Government of India for their support, and giving us the necessary guarantees which made this bid possible,” he added.
The mega event will be India’s 2nd World Cup in 4 years, both achieved under the tenure of Mr. Patel as the AIFF President.
Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary, All India Football Federation described it as a “historic moment” for Indian Football.
“I cannot sum it up in words what this means to Indian Football,” he said. “Together with all stakeholders we need to make it a grand success, and at the same time we understand that we need to be competitive,” he opined.
“I would like to thank our President Mr. Praful Patel for bringing two back to back the U-17 World Cups to India. Without him, we wouldn’t have got the hosting rights. I’m extremely grateful to FIFA, and the Government of India for their support and encouragement,” Mr. Das added.
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup was first played in 2008 in New Zealand and is held every two years. Spain stays the current champions when they beat Mexico in the final held in the last edition in Uruguay in 2018.
