Sports Revelation Online ..breaking authenic sports reports
Harry Awurumibe, Abuja with agency report
FIFA boss…Gianni Infantino
World soccer ruling body, FIFA has shunned Nigeria as it has instead awarded the hosting rights of the 2020 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final to Costa Rica and Panama.
According to a statement from FIFA made available to the press, the two nations have been given the hosting rights consideringtheir ability to stage the second most important women’s football competition in FIFA calendar.
The statement from FIFA read thus:
Following on from a FIFA inspection visit to Costa Rica and Panama as well as further discussions with the two relevant member associations, the Bureau of the FIFA Council has today confirmed that the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2020 will be played in August in Costa Rica and Panama.
The 16 participating teams will be divided into four groups of four with the best two of each group advancing to the quarter finals. This will be the first ever co-hosting of a FIFA youth tournament and the second co-hosting of a FIFA tournament since the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™.
The number of stadiums to be used for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica and Panama 2020 will be discussed and confirmed with the two member associations. Details on the tournament’s time frame and match schedule will follow.
“We would like to thank the Costa Rican and Panamanian football associations for their commitment towards women’s football and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in particular. We are looking forward to a fantastic competition in August,” said FIFA’s Chief Tournaments and Events Officer Colin Smith.
“After the highly successful FIFA Women’s World Cup in France this year, it is important that we build on the momentum at all levels of the game. The U20WWC in Costa Rica and Panama next year is a perfect opportunity for us to continue driving the popularity of the game and with it being the first jointly hosted tournament – we can make the impact even greater,” said Sarai Bareman, FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer.