The U-17 World Cup Clashes with League 1, PSSI Prepares a Solution

– Indonesia will host the 2023 U-17 World Cup from 10 November-2 December 2023. This has raised questions because the event clashes with the 2023-2024 League 1.

This season’s League 1 starts July 1 2023 and will end on April 28 2024. This means that the U-17 World Cup will be present in the middle of the highest level competition in Indonesia.

The thing that triggers the question is home base or the cages of a number of League 1 clubs that have the potential to become the venue for the 2023 U-17 World Cup.

Regarding this matter, PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir emphasized that the 2023 U-17 World Cup would go ahead as scheduled. Only, League 1 clubs whose cages are used as venues for the U-17 World Cup will later look for other stadium options as a replacement.

“How are the teams that already have home base? Of course we are already seated, we will map which fields they can use,” said Erick Thohir, Friday (7/7/2023).

Erick Thohir gave an example, if the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (GBT) is used for the U-17 World Cup, then Persebaya Surabaya will find an alternative field around the City of Heroes.

“For example, if GBT is being used in Surabaya (U-17 World Cup), there are several other field options there. It’s like that in West Java, in Jakarta there are options too. So yes, we provide the best solution for the league. too,” said Erick Thohir.

PSSI itself plans to submit 8 stadiums to FIFA for the 2023 U-17 World Cup venues.

The six stadiums are Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (Jakarta), Jakabaring Stadium (Palembang), Si Jalak Harupat Stadium (Bandung), Manahan Stadium (Solo), Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (Surabaya), and Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium (Bali). ). These six stadiums are priority venues for the 2023 U-17 World Cup because they have previously passed verification for the 2023 U-20 World Cup.

One other stadium is the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS). Meanwhile, one other stadium has not been disclosed by Erick Thohir, but it is located near the capital.

Later, FIFA will come and select stadiums for the 2023 U-17 World Cup venues. However, FIFA’s schedule for Indonesia is still uncertain.