Political row undermines Indonesia’s second chance as FIFA host

Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo (second right) and several officials inspect the Jakarta International Stadium in North Jakarta on July 4, 2023. - Antara

JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network): Domestic political tensions are threatening yet again to spoil a FIFA youth tournament in Indonesia, as the question of whether the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) meets global sporting standards turns into a partisan squabble.

Indonesia is set to host this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup from Nov 10 to Dec. 2, after the world’s soccer governing body withdrew Peru’s hosting rights in April over the country’s failure to finish building the infrastructure necessary for the tournament.