As often the case these days politics get in the way of the GREATE game.

Today, Wednesday March 29, 2023, FIFA announced that Indonesia has been stripped of hosting rights for the 2023 U-20 men’s World Cup, which is set to kick off in May 2023.

This announcement came after Friday’s draw was cancelled amid Indonesia’s stance on Israel, which qualified for the tournament for the first time.

The announcement also said a new host would be appointed as soon as possible, with the dates of the tournament remaining unchanged.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, called for Israel to be forbidden from participating in the tournament due to Israel's history and on-going treatment of Palestinians.

Indonesia does not have formal diplomatic ties with Israel and supports the cause of Palestine.

Conservative Islamic groups led protests last week in Jakarta against Israel’s participation in the tournament.

The upcoming 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup was to be hosted by Indonesia between May 20 and June 11, 2023.

The FIFA U-20 World Cup is the biennial football (soccer) world championship tournament for FIFA members’ men's national teams with players under the age of 20, hence, the U-20.

The competition has been staged every two years since the inaugural tournament in 1977 when it was hosted by Tunisia, under the tournament name of FIFA World Youth Championship until 2005.

In 2007 the name was changed to its present form (FIFA U-20 World Cup).

The current title holder is Ukraine which won its first title at the 2019 tournament in Poland.