Following Indonesia’s expulsion from the organization, South America’s nation will host the youth tournament after more than two decades. The draw took place on a Friday, signaling a fresh chapter for the competition.
The 2023 U-20 World Cup continues its quest for a new champion in the age category. The tournament began in Argentina, the chosen venue after FIFA moved the event away from Indonesia. The world governing body approved, in a unanimous decision, that Argentina would host the 23rd edition of this youth championship.
Qualification runs through its usual channel, though Argentina benefited from hosting privileges, advancing by place rather than through a standard contested route. The opening match featured Guatemala versus New Zealand on May 20, with 24 teams aiming for the grand final slated for June 11.
WHY THE 2023 U-20 WORLD CUP HAS A NEW HOME
A formal statement released on a Sunday explained that the Indonesia-hosted draw planned for a Friday was canceled. FIFA had not yet provided official reasoning for the decision. The communication suggested the Bali provincial government, one of the tournament’s venues, objected to Israel’s attendance, potentially undermining guarantees issued by the local authorities for the event.
Indonesia, the most populous Muslim-majority nation, maintains delicate diplomatic ties with Israel, which does not recognize it as a state. Local and regional officials opted to avoid including Israel in the competition, a move affecting group placements given the regional affiliations and the UEFA association for Asian teams. The governing body in Zurich offered no immediate further explanation, stating only that the decision was due to current circumstances and noting that sanctions for the organizing body would be assessed later, with Israel-related tensions cited as a probable factor.
WHY ARGENTINA WILL HOST THE 2023 U-20 WORLD CUP
In the withdrawal notice, FIFA indicated that the new host would be announced as soon as possible. Argentina emerged as the sole formal, supported candidate remaining in contention. National football authorities moved decisively, backed by the government, to present a strong bid and ensure the necessary guarantees were in place.
Gianni Infantino, speaking at a CONMEBOL press conference, noted that Argentina’s candidacy was the only formal submission with clear backing. The federation subsequently confirmed, after all guarantees were signed with the Economy Ministry, that Argentina would welcome tomorrow’s football stars for the 2023 tournament. This set the stage for a competition that could spotlight Argentina’s potential to host major football events in the future, including a bid for the 2030 World Cup alongside regional partners.
WHEN WILL THE U-20 WORLD CUP 2023 BE PLAYED?
With the switch in venue, FIFA maintained the original schedule. The tournament begins on May 20 and concludes on June 11, 2023.
HOST CITIES
Four stadiums host the matches:
- Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in La Plata
- San Juan del Bicentennial Stadium in San Juan
- Malvinas Argentinas Stadium in Mendoza
- Mother of Cities Stadium in Santiago del Estero
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
Twenty-four teams take part in the U-20 World Cup. Argentina joins as host, replacing Indonesia after the decision to relocate the event.
Asia:
- Iraq
- Uzbekistan
- South Korea
- Japan
Africa
- Senegal
- Niger
- Gambia
- Tunisia
Europe
- France
- Italy
- England
- Israel
- Slovakia
South America
- Argentina (host)
- Brazil
- Uruguay
- Ecuador
- Colombia
Central and North America
- USA
- Honduras
- Dominican Republic
- Guatemala
Oceania
GROUPS
The groups were finalized following the draw in Zurich on a Friday that brought teams together for the group-stage battles.
GROUP A
B GROUP
GROUP C
GROUP D
GROUP E
GROUP F
MATCHES AND RESULTS
All matches follow Argentina’s local time.
GROUP PHASE
Saturday May 20
Argentina 2-1 Uzbekistan | Maradona Stadium, La Plata
Guatemala 0-1 New Zealand | Mother of Cities Stadium, Santiago del Estero
United States 1-0 Ecuador | Bicentennial Stadium, San Juan
Fiji 0-4 Slovakia | Bicentennial Stadium, San Juan
Sunday May 21
Israel 1-2 Colombia | Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, La Plata
Senegal 0-1 Japan | Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, La Plata
Nigeria 2-1 Dominican Republic | Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, Mendoza
Italy 3-2 Brazil | Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, Mendoza
Monday May 22
England 1-0 Tunisia | Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, La Plata
Uruguay 4-0 Iraq | Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, La Plata
France 1-2 South Korea | Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, Mendoza
Gambia 2-1 Honduras | Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, Mendoza
Tuesday May 23
Uzbekistan 2-2 New Zealand | Mother of Cities Stadium, Santiago del Estero
Argentina 3-0 Guatemala | Mother of Cities Stadium, Santiago del Estero
United States 3-0 Fiji | Bicentennial Stadium, San Juan
Ecuador 2-1 Slovakia | Bicentennial Stadium, San Juan
Wednesday, May 24
Senegal 1-1 Israel | Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, La Plata
Japan 1-2 Colombia | Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, La Plata
Italy 0-2 Nigeria | Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, Mendoza
Brazil 6-0 Dominican Republic | Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, Mendoza
Thursday, May 25
Uruguay 2-3 England | Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, La Plata
Iraq 0-3 Tunisia | Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, La Plata
France 1-2 Gambia | Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, Mendoza
Korea 2-2 Honduras | Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, Mendoza
Friday May 26
Ecuador 9-0 Fiji | Mother of Cities Stadium, Santiago del Estero
Slovakia 0-2 United States | Bicentennial Stadium, San Juan
Uzbekistan 2-0 Guatemala | Mother of Cities Stadium, Santiago del Estero
New Zealand 0-5 Argentina | Bicentennial Stadium, San Juan
Saturday May 27
Brazil 2-0 Nigeria | Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, La Plata
Dominican Republic 0-3 Italy | Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, Mendoza
Colombia 1-1 Senegal | Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, La Plata
Japan 1-2 Israel | Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, Mendoza
Sunday May 28
Iraq vs England | Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, La Plata
Tunisia 0-1 Uruguay | Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, Mendoza
South Korea 0-0 Gambia | Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, Mendoza
Honduras 1-3 France | Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, La Plata
EIGHTH FINAL
Tuesday May 30
United States 4-0 New Zealand | Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, Mendoza
Uzbekistan 0-1 Israel | Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, Mendoza
Wednesday, May 31
Colombia 5-1 Slovakia | Bicentennial Stadium, San Juan
Brazil 4-1 Tunisia | Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, La Plata
Argentina 0-2 Nigeria | Bicentennial Stadium, San Juan
England 1-2 Italy | Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, La Plata
Thursday June 1
Gambia 0-1 Uruguay | Mother of Cities Stadium, Santiago del Estero
Ecuador 2-3 South Korea | Mother of Cities Stadium, Santiago del Estero
QUARTERFINALS
Saturday June 3
2:30 pm | Israel vs. Brazil | Bicentennial Stadium, San Juan
6 pm | Colombia vs. Italy | Bicentennial Stadium, San Juan
Sunday June 4
2:30 pm | South Korea vs. Nigeria | Mother of Cities Stadium, Santiago del Estero
6 pm | United States vs. Uruguay | Mother of Cities Stadium, Santiago del Estero
Source: Goal