FIFA Under-17 World Cup to be held in India in 2017, will it revive our footballing fortune?

FIFA delegates are said to be happy with the stadium conditions and other facilities

By: Ankit Chatterjee |
October 28, 2016 4:25 pm

FIFA Under-17 World Cup is all set to be held in India in 2017. FIFA recently announced at a press conference in Kolkata that the footballing extravaganza is scheduled to take place from October 6th until the 28th. The draw for the tournament will be held on July 7, 2017. AIFF expects the competition to revive the footballing fortunes of the country.

FIFA also declared the six venues where the matches will take place. They are New Delhi, Navi Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, Guwahati, and Kolkata. A 23-member FIFA inspection unit recently visited India to approve the stadiums. The FIFA delegates were said to be happy with the condition of the stadiums and their facilities.

“It is clear for all to see how football has already been making huge strides in India. However, there is still so much room for growth, and the FIFA U-17 World Cup can be an ideal catalyst to develop the sport even further and across the whole country. This is an exceptional opportunity to combine two of FIFA’s core missions: to organise tournaments and to promote football development,” claims FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has claimed that the World Cup will act as a catalyst to develop the sport in India. (Photo: Wikipedia)

Out of the 24 FIFA Under-17 World Cup participants, five have already qualified. India has qualified as hosts, while Asian champions Iraq in addition to Iran, Japan, and Korea DPR are all through. Football fans all across India are going gaga waiting in anticipation for the event to commence.

The Indian under-17 youngsters are training hard in preparation for next year’s World Cup. Hosting the FIFA Under-17 World Cup will be a proud moment for the Indian football fraternity. AIFF will be keen on reviving the Indian footballing fortunes with such an opportunity.

All eyes will be on the Indian youngsters when the FIFA Under-17 World Cup begins in 2017. (Photo: Express)

Indian football will only develop if grassroots football is given importance. Hosting the FIFA Under-17 World Cup will be the opportunity that will act as the catalyst to develop the sport in the nation.

(Video: YouTube/India Football)