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Erick scores big as Indonesia gets second shot at hosting youth World Cup
FIFA’s surprise decision to name Indonesia as the U-17 World Cup host could inadvertently give the PSSI chief a leg up in his 2024 vice presidential bid.
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State-Owned Enterprises Minister and Soccer Association of Indonesia chairman Erick Thohir (second left), seated alongside (from left) Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, President Joko “Joko” Widodo and First Lady Iriana Widodo, watches the friendly match between Indonesia and Argentina on June 19, 2023 at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Senayan, Jakarta. (Presidential Secretariat’s Press Bureau/Laily Rachev)
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The occasion presents a potential launchpad for the Cabinet minister’s 2024 vice presidential bid, which is in need of a boost based on electability surveys.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino made the surprise announcement on Friday evening, with Indonesia taking over from original host Peru. The world soccer governing body revoked Peru’s hosting rights in April due to the country’s inability to complete the necessary infrastructure in time for the tournament, slated to run from Nov. 17 to Dec. 5.
In congratulating Indonesia, Infantino highlighted the country’s “incredible passion for football”.
Erick, who is also State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister, emphasized this at a PSSI press conference on Saturday: “FIFA knows that out of the 273 million people in Indonesia, 73 percent love soccer. So it is aware of the potential we have.”
Indonesians’ love for soccer has long been documented, and analysts said that Erick’s decision to bid for the PSSI chairmanship was partly an attempt to court the soccer-crazed public for his electoral ambitions.
Crucially, the tournament’s scheduled dates overlap the beginning of the 2024 election’s official campaign period kicking off on Nov. 28.
