Georgian, Armenian football federations to submit bid to co-host 2029 U20 World Cup
The U20 World Cup has been held every two years since 1977, with 24 teams participating in the final stage of the competition. Uruguay won the most recent edition. Photo: Georgian Footy/twitter
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Levan Kobiashvili, the President of the Georgian Football Federation, and his Armenian counterpart Armen Melikbekyan on Wednesday announced they would submit a joint application for their countries to co-host the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 2029.
The Georgian Federation said the announcement had been made at a joint briefing in Yerevan, where Kobiashvili said the “two friendly and neighbouring countries rich in football history” would bid to host the “very important tournament”.
It will help us to further develop football in Georgia and Armenia. Hopefully, we will win and jointly host this prestigious championship. We have a lot of experience in hosting large-scale events. Among them, last year, we successfully hosted the UEFA U21 European Championship”, he added.
Melikbekyan said the U20 World Cup was “one of the main tournaments” held by FIFA and co-hosting the competition would be a “great success for both countries”, adding his governing body was ready to support the two countries in this process.
The U20 World Cup has been held every two years since 1977, with 24 teams participating in the final stage of the competition. Uruguay won the most recent edition.
Gianni Infantino, the President of the International Association Football Federation, on Wednesday praised Levan Kobiashvili, the President of the Georgian Football Federation, for playing a “central role” in the country co-hosting the UEFA European Under-21 Championship last year.
The Georgian national team's draw with the Netherlands on Tuesday, and the squad’s advancement to the quarter-final stage of the UEFA Under-21 European Championship received attention from European media outlets.
Mayor of Tbilisi Kakha Kaladze on Tuesday said he was “proud to say” the country was “fully prepared” to host matches of the upcoming UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
Georgian Infrastructure Minister Irakli Karseladze on Wednesday visited newly renovated Ramaz Shengelia Stadium in the western city of Kutaisi, one of five renovated venues that will host matches of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in the west of the country this summer.
Georgia and Romania have been selected to host the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday told the opening ceremony of a newly built football stadium in the southern city of Marneuli that development of sports in the country was “particularly important” for the Government.