Kolkata: The success of the FIFA U-17 World Cup has further lit up India’s chances of hosting other FIFA tournaments in the future and Brazil coach Carlos Amadeu made India’s case even stronger when he said that the experience in India will be “a life-changing one.”
“It’s the first time in the history of Under-17 World Cup that we had a coverage like this. It can be life-changing for this competition and also for India,” said Amadeu ahead of his quarter-finals clash against Germany.
AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das had earlier predicted that, “The World Cup in India will be the beginning of a new era for Indian football” and it certainly has been so.The country just crossed the million mark in the final Pre-quarterfinal clash of Brazil vs Honduras, becoming only the third host country after China and Mexico of recording an attendance of more than a million and looks well on course to break the existing record of 1,230,976 set during the very first edition in China in 1985.
The huge response from the fans despite India failing to make it to the knock-out stages of the tournament has put India in the pole position to host the U-20 World Cup. The ongoing U-17 World Cup is on the verge of becoming the most watched World Cup, etching it’s name into history.
“You’re organising a perfect competition with this huge coverage. Congratulations to you and we expect to see a great game tomorrow. I want to thank you and congratulate you because you’re covering this competition with such love,” Amadeu added.
India has already bid to host the next U-20 World Cup a month prior to this tournament and now with the support the country has garnered including FIFA Tournament Director Javier Ceppi and now the Brazilian coach himself, a next FIFA tournament doesn’t look far for the country.