Why This U20 World Cup’s Fate Matters In The Soccer World
The Under-20 World Cup went through a major shakeup when host nation Indonesia experienced a shocking development that sent ripples throughout the soccer world. The cancellation of the tournament’s draw leaves the fate of the tournament well in doubt.
Indonesia Deadset On Removing Israel From Tournament
Indonesia had been scheduled to host the Under-20 World Cup, an event for the best young players in the world, from May 20 to June 11. Israel has qualified for the tournament for the first time, but that result proved to be fraught in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, which has no diplomatic ties with Israel.
The Indonesian government officials and protesters demanded the exclusion of the Israeli team from the World Cup, which resulted in the cancellation of the tournament’s draw scheduled for Friday. Last Monday, conservative Muslim demonstrators took to the streets of Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, to protest against Israel’s participation in the event, holding up placards and chanting slogans.
A meeting between the Indonesian soccer federation and FIFA, the global governing body for soccer, was held in Qatar on Wednesday in an attempt to resolve the conflict, but it was unsuccessful. Consequently, FIFA released a statement that the event would not be held in Indonesia “due to the current circumstances.”
Could Indonesia’s Team Be Punished?
FIFA has confirmed that the tournament’s dates will remain unchanged and that a new host will be announced, “as soon as possible.” If Indonesia continues to face penalties, including the possibility of being disqualified from the 2026 World Cup qualification rounds. The under-20 championship will feature twenty-four teams, including the United States, and is considered an essential platform for future soccer stars. Notably, Lionel Messi, the Argentine superstar, won the Most Valuable Player award at the 2005 event, a title that Diego Maradona had previously won in 1979.
The tournament was initially planned to take place in six stadiums across the country, with Israel scheduled to play in Bali. However, the governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, sent a letter to the nation’s sports ministry, urging them to prevent Israel from playing in his region. As a result, the tournament’s draw, which was supposed to be held in Bali, was postponed.
The under-20 championships are usually held every two years, with the previous edition taking place in 2019. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 event, which was also slated to take place in Indonesia, was canceled and rescheduled for this year.
Impacts of the Cancelation
The decision by FIFA to cancel Indonesia’s hosting of the Under-20 World Cup has significant implications for the world of soccer and Israel in particular. The tournament, which was set to take place from May 20 to June 11, has been mired in controversy since the inclusion of Israel’s team, leading to protests and calls for boycotts by Muslim groups in Indonesia.
For Israel, the cancellation is a blow to its soccer aspirations, as it had qualified for the tournament for the first time. The country has struggled to gain acceptance in the world of soccer due to ongoing conflicts with its neighboring countries, and the inclusion of its team in a high-profile international event such as the Under-20 World Cup was seen as a positive step forward.
The cancellation also highlights the challenges facing FIFA in promoting the sport of soccer while navigating political and religious sensitivities. Soccer has often been used as a platform for political expression, and FIFA has had to grapple with the competing interests of promoting the sport while avoiding controversies that can undermine its credibility.
Moreover, the cancellation of the tournament in Indonesia raises concerns about the country’s willingness to host international sporting events in the future. Indonesia has previously played host to several major international sporting events, including the Asian Games and the Southeast Asian Games. However, the cancellation of the Under-20 World Cup highlights the difficulties faced by the country in navigating complex religious and political issues.
The cancellation of the Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia underscores the challenges facing FIFA in promoting soccer while navigating political and religious sensitivities. For Israel, the cancellation is a setback to its soccer aspirations, while for Indonesia, it raises concerns about the country’s willingness to host international sporting events in the future.