FIFA Confirms India as Host for 2028 Under-20 World Cup

In a major boost for Indian football, FIFA on Wednesday officially confirmed India as the host nation for the 2028 Under-20 World Cup. The announcement was made by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during a press conference in Zurich, marking only the second time a FIFA tournament will be held in India after the 2017 U-17 World Cup.

Venues and Infrastructure

The tournament will be held across six cities — Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Guwahati, and Kochi. Three of the venues — Salt Lake Stadium, DY Patil Stadium, and JLN Stadium — already meet FIFA's infrastructure requirements, while the remaining three will undergo upgrades worth an estimated Rs 800 crore.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has committed to a comprehensive legacy programme that includes building 200 grassroots football centres across the country by 2027. The tournament is expected to attract over 500,000 spectators across the 52 matches scheduled over a 21-day window.

"Hosting the U-20 World Cup is a validation of India's growing football infrastructure. Our aim is to use this tournament as a springboard to develop a generation of world-class Indian footballers," said AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey.

The economic impact of the tournament is estimated at Rs 3,500 crore, with significant benefits expected for hospitality, tourism, and local businesses in host cities. FIFA has also mandated that at least 30% of tournament staff be recruited locally, providing employment opportunities for thousands.