U-17 World Cup to be Held in Sept-Oct 2017

MUMBAI:India will host the FIFA U-17 World Cup in six different venues, four of which have been given provisional approval, in September-October 2017, it was announced by the tournament organising committee head on Friday.

Tournament Director Javier Ceppi said at a media conference here that the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai is among the four centres, which has been given provisional approval to host matches in the 23-day event. “DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai is one of the four venues which we have shortlisted and given provisional approval subject to ratification in September 2016 on the basis of compliance with FIFA guidelines,” said Chilean Ceppi.

He said that apart from D Y Patil Stadium, provisional approval has been granted to three other venues — Guwahati, Kolkata and Kochi —  while five other centres have been shortlisted to finalise the remaining two venues.

Cepii also laid to rest speculation that the U-17 World Cup will not be shifted to accommodate the Indian Super League. “The European qualification stage of the U-17 World Cup ends in May and there should be at least a three-month gap before the conduct of the tournament. It cannot begin before September,” said the tournament director.