New Zealand’s plans to compete at the men’s U-17 and U-20 World Cups will need to change as FIFA has stripped Peru and Indonesia of their hosting rights for the tournaments.
Football’s ruling body has taken November’s FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup off Peru, saying the country’s not yet ready to stage the tournament.
This follows a decision in late March to strip Indonesia of the right to host May’s U-20 Men’s World Cup.
Having qualified for both tournaments, New Zealand’s coaching staff will now need to consider new venues and conditions, assuming both cups go ahead as scheduled.
New Zealand have already qualified for the 24-nation FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup, which still has 17 qualification spots to fill.
Main photo: The New Zealand team celebrates winning the OFC U-17 Championship, and their qualification for the World Cup. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
Peru was to host the U-17 event from November 10 — December 2, while Indonesia was meant to host the FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup from May 20 — June 11.
FIFA says it plans for both tournaments to go ahead with their original time schedule.
Argentina has formally applied to host the U-20 tournament.
READ MORE: Argentina want to host hastily-rearranged FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup >>>>
READ MORE: Plans for FIFA U-20 World Cup in disarray as Indonesia stripped of hosting >>>>
Announcing its decision about Peru, FIFA said it “will now designate a new host in due course.
“The move was made given the inability of the host country to fulfil its commitments to completing the infrastructure required to stage the tournament.
“Despite a very positive working relationship between FIFA and the FPF, it has been determined that there is now not sufficient time to secure the required investment and complete the necessary work with the Peruvian government ahead of the tournament start date.”
Who’s going to the U-17 World Cup?
New Zealand await news on a venue for the U-17 tournament.
Qualifiers for the tournament are New Zealand, New Caledonia, Canada, United States, Mexico and Panama.
Now Peru has lost hosting rights, its participation at the tournament is in doubt.
Remaining qualifiers will be found in May/June as qualification games take place in Asia, Africa, Europe and South America.
READ MORE: Our previous stories about the New Zealand U-17 men’s team >>>>
READ MORE: Four more nations qualify to join New Zealand at FIFA U-17 World Cup in Peru >>>>
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