GENEVA —In the midst of political unrest over Israel's participation, Indonesia had its hosting rights for the Under-20 World Cup revoked on Wednesday, just eight weeks before the tournament's start.

Without going into specifics, FIFA stated that Indonesia was dropped from the 24-team tournament that was set to begin on May 20 "due to the current circumstances."


The choice was made as a result of a meeting between Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, soccer's global governing body, and Erick Thohir, the president of the Indonesian Soccer Federation, in Doha, Qatar.

Israel first qualified for the Under-20 World Cup in June of last year. However, this month's political opposition was sparked by the nation's participation in the official tournament group draw, which will take place Friday in Bali.

Despite having the largest Muslim majority in the world and no formal diplomatic ties to Israel, Indonesia openly supports the Palestinian cause.

The draw was postponed by FIFA last Sunday, which put Indonesia's hosting rights for the competition into question.

The tournament, which was slated to take place in six stadiums in Indonesia, is currently without a host. Argentina, which did not cut through the competition, is reportedly keen to host.

The FIFA statement read, "A new host will be announced as soon as possible, with the tournament's dates currently remaining unchanged."

FIFA may impose additional sanctions on the Indonesian soccer federation. Indonesia might not be eligible to represent Asia in the 2026 World Cup if it is suspended. In October, the continental qualifying rounds begin.

The former president of the Italian club Inter Milan, which Infantino supports, and a former co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, Thohir, appeared to be absolved of all responsibility by FIFA on Wednesday.

According to the governing body, FIFA employees will continue to work in Indonesia in the coming months "under the leadership of President Thohir."

As a FIFA member, Indonesia, according to Thohir, had no choice but to accept the ruling.

He declared in a statement, "I have done my best." We must accept FIFA's decision to cancel the holding of the event that we are both looking forward to after delivering a letter from President Joko Widodo and a lengthy discussion with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Even though he had expressed the worries and hopes of soccer supporters, the president of Indonesia, and the Under-20 national team players, he claimed, "FIFA considered that the current situation cannot be continued."

Before being chosen to host the 2021 Under-20 World Cup, Indonesian soccer and the government agreed to meet FIFA's hosting requirements in 2019. The tournament had to be delayed for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, Joko Widodo, the president of Indonesia, stated on Tuesday night that his government was against Israel's participation. He informed the populace that the nation decided to host before being aware that Israel would be eligible.

However, concerns within Indonesian soccer have been raised by FIFA's removal of the hosting rights.

Arya Sinulingga, a member of Indonesia's national soccer associations executive committee, was worried about further repercussions.

In an interview with local television, Sinulingga stated: "This is a sign that we are not able to carry out what has been asked (by FIFA)... among other things, that there should be no discrimination." What we are most worried about right now is that we will be ostracized from international events, especially from world soccer activities.

"It can happen, and it will be very harmful to us in many ways," he said.

"Our problems go beyond losing the right to host the Under-20 World Cup." Sinulingga stated, "We are currently fighting not to get sanctioned, but people should know... this is too hard." We have to face it in the near future, and that could affect the future of our sport.

Israel earned a spot in the competition by making it all the way to the Under-19 European Championship semifinals. The team ultimately fell to England in that championship game.

After leaving the Asian Football Confederation in the 1970s for political and security reasons, Israel now competes in Europe as a UEFA member.

The Men's Under-20 World Cup is marketed by FIFA as "the competition of tomorrow's superstars."

Paul Pogba, Lionel Messi, and Diego Maradona have all won the official player award in the past.

Erling Haaland was the tournament's top scorer in 2019, and previous winners of the official player of the tournament award include Paul Pogba, Lionel Messi, and Diego Maradona.