AIFF preparing for U-20 World Cup bid

India will host the U-17 World Cup in 2017, their first major international football tournament, and AIFF feels that they could leverage on the newly-developed infrastructure for the U-17 event to bid for the 2019 or 2021 edition of the U-20 World Cup.

“We have the infrastructure in place for the under-17 World Cup, and there is a group of very talented footballers who we are getting ready for the tournament. Naturally, the next step will be to bid for the under-20 World Cup and sustain the momentum of development,” AIFF general secretary Kushal Das told The Hindu.

Das also hopes that India's U-17 team gains qualification to the World Cup 'on merit', rather than as the host. He feels that the Junior team footballers, who are being currently trained by German coach Nicolai Adam, have the potential to play in European leagues in the future.

“They will be going on a series of exposure trips, starting with South Africa. And I expect them to play in leagues in Europe and Latin America in future,” Das added.

Kushal Das insisted that the advent of the Indian Super League has had a positive effect on the sport in this nation, and has also made a positive impact on the I-League. He said, “The ISL has had a very positive rub-off on football in general in the country. The I-League has definitely benefited from the success of this new initiative”.