TheCable

The Federation of International Federation of Association (FIFA) has cancelled the men’s U-20 and U-17 World Cup tournaments in 2021 due to COVID-19.

The world football governing body, in a statement on Thursday, said that the next edition will be held in 2023 at the venues that were to host the 2021 edition of the tournament.

Both tournaments were originally slated to take place in Peru and Indonesia respectively.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present challenges for the hosting of international sporting events and to have a restrictive effect on international travel. FIFA has therefore regularly consulted the relevant stakeholders, including the host member associations as well as the confederations involved in both tournaments originally scheduled to take place in 2021,” the statement read.

“In doing so, 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.

“FIFA would like to express 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. FIFA looks forward to continuing to work closely together with the host countries to organise successful tournaments.”

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria was knocked out at the round of 16 at the last edition in Poland.

Also, Africa has been given four automatic slots for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) will serve as qualifiers for the World Cup which will run from July 10 to August 20.

Apart from the four automatic slots for the continent, Africa can feature six teams at the 2023 World Cup, as they are also allocated two slots in a play-off qualifying tournament.