FIFA has stripped Indonesia of hosting the U-20 World Cup, scheduled for May 20 to June 11, 2023, following a political problem over its refusal to participate in Israel.
"A new host will be announced as soon as possible, with the dates of the tournament currently remaining unchanged," FIFA said in a statement Wednesday, referring to possible "sanctions" against the Indonesian Football Association, without giving further details on the reasons for the withdrawal of the tournament and limiting himself to the phrase "due to the current circumstances."
Friday's draw was cancelled because the governor of Bali province called for Israel to be excluded from the tournament, which was scheduled to be held in six cities with 6 teams.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced earlier that he would send Football Association President Eric Tohir, former president of Italian club Inter Milan, for talks with FIFA officials.
"I sent Indonesian FA president Eric Tohir to meet FIFA in order to find the best solution," Widodo said.
The governor of the Indonesian island of Bali, Ian Koster, sent a letter to his country's minister of youth and sports, refusing to attend the Israeli team to participate in the World Cup, citing the lack of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Indonesia has seen stormy protests against Israel's participation in the tournament, although the government has chosen the Hindu-majority island of Bali, which is more open to foreign tourists, as the Israeli team's residence in the competitions.
FIFA stressed that despite this decision, "it remains committed to assisting the Indonesian Federation, in close cooperation and with the assistance of the government of President Widodo, in the process of transforming Indonesian football after the tragedy that occurred in October 2022."
Indonesia was hit by one of the worst stadium disasters in football history that left 135 people dead in a stampede in the East Java city of Malang last October, including more than 40 children.
"FIFA team members will continue in Indonesia in the coming months and will provide assistance to the Indonesian federation under the leadership of President Tohir."