FIFA has decided to cancel the 2021 editions of the men’s FIFA U-20 World Cup and FIFA U-17 World Cup,citing COVID-19 pandemic and has instead decided to give the hosts of the respective tournaments the rights to host the 2023 editions.

“As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bureau of the FIFA Council has decided to cancel the 2021 editions of the men’s FIFA U-20 World Cup and FIFA U-17 World Cup, and to appoint Indonesia and Peru respectively, who were due to host the tournaments in 2021, as the hosts of the 2023 editions,” FIFA said in a statement.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present challenges for the hosting of international sporting events and to have a restrictive effect on international travel. It became clear that the global situation has failed to normalise to a sufficient level to address the challenges associated with hosting both tournaments, including the feasibility of the relevant qualification pathways”, the statement added.

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FIFA expressed its gratitude to the host member associations, as well as the authorities in Indonesia and Peru, for “their commitment and the tournament preparations made so far”.