… match schedule and host cities announced
The draw for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023 took place in Zurich at the Home of FIFA on Friday, 21 April, setting the stage for May grand showcase of football’s future stars.
The draw ceremony, hosted by presenter Samantha Johnson and conducted by FIFA Director of Tournaments Jaime Yarza.
FIFA Legends Juan Pablo Sorin (Argentina) and David Trezeguet (France) were on hand to assist with the ceremony.
The FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, in his opening speech, prior to the beginning of the draw, said: “Dear football fans, dear friends, queridos amigos, it gives me great, great pleasure to address you before the draw for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023, the 23rd edition of this wonderful tournament which gives us a glimpse of the stars of the future.”
“Congratulations to all 23 teams who have qualified. And thank you to Argentina and particularly, the Argentinian Football Association and its President, ‘Chiqui’ Tapia, as well as the governmental authorities for staging this fantastic event. Muchas gracias, Argentina!”
In addition to the draw ceremony, FIFA has also confirmed the match schedule and host cities for the tournament.
24 teams were slotted into six groups of four.
Nigeria’s U-20, Flying Eagles have been handed a tough draw in Group D alongside Brazil, Italy and Dominican Republic.
The FIFA 2023 Under-20 World Cup draw:
Group A
Argentina
Uzbekistan
Guatemala
New Zealand
Group B
USA
Ecuador
Fiji
Slovakia
Group C
Senegal
Japan
Israel
Colombia
Group D
Italy
Brazil
Nigeria
Dominican Republic
Group E
Uruguay
Iraq
England
Tunisia
Group F
France
Korea Republic
The Gambia
Honduras
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have finished as runners-up on two occasions, in Saudi Arabia in 1989 and in The Netherlands in 2005. They were bronze medallists in the USSR in 1985.
The U-20 World Cup will take place across four host cities: La Plata, Mendoza, San Juan, and Santiago del Estero.
This year’s championship will take place between 20 May and 11 June.
The tournament will open on 20 May with four matches on the opening day in San Juan and Santiago del Estero, including hosts Argentina taking on Uzbekistan in Santiago del Estero Stadium.
Both cities will also play host to the quarter-final round, while La Plata Stadium will host the semi-finals, 3rd place match, and Final.
