FIFA U20 World Cup 2023 kicks off in Argentina
The most prestigious youth national-team tournament in men's football is taking place as the 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup is held in Argentina between May 20 and June 11.
The biennial tournament was last held in 2019 since the 2021 edition was cancelled due to scheduling and logistical challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
An injury-time goal gave the United States a 1-0 win against Ecuador in one of the opening matches earlier today. Hours later, host Argentina beat Asian champions Uzbekistan 2-1.
The 2023 U20 World Cup was originally set to be held in Indonesia; but that nation's refusal to welcome Israel's squad — the countries don't have diplomatic relations — saw FIFA strip the tournament from Indonesia in March 2023 and instead move it to Argentina.
France, Brazil, Italy, and England are among the favorites to win the 2023 edition. Argentina, who had originally failed to qualify from South America, were slotted in as the host nation and will contend on home soil.
Defending champions Ukraine failed to qualify for the 2023 tournament, falling at the second stage of European qualifying on a cards tiebreaker.
At: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/fifa-u20-world-cup-schedule-fixtures-results-2023/k4dviap8ephyhgsbhtohkett
Argentina's Valentín Barco, right, and Uzbekistan's Umarali Rakhmonaliev battle for the ball during one of the opening matches today in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina.
Originally set to be held in Indonesia, the Asian nation's refusal to welcome Israel's squad led FIFA to relocate the tournament.
