By Duncan Mackay
March 10 – India is planning to bid for the 2015 Club World Cup and the Under-17 World Cup in 2017, it has been revealed.
If India’s bid to host the Club World Cup, won by Barcelona in two out of the last three years, is successful it means that the eight-team tournament will also feature a an Indian club, who would qualify as hosts.
The announcement was made to coincide with a visit to New Delhi by FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who was accompanied by Zhang Jilong, the acting President of the Asian Football Confederation.
This year’s tournament is due to be held for the second consecutive occasion in Japan before moving to Morocco in 2013 and 2014.
“We are bound by a contract with Europe and South America [to host the Club World Cup there]” said Blatter.
“[But] we are finishing the cycle in 2012.
“The next Club World Cup is in Morocco, therefore there is a possibility for India.”
Blatter visited Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil and raised the possibility of India bidding for both events.
“I have spoken to the PM about the facilities, football infrastructure,” he said.
“I look very positively towards the Under-17 World Cup coming to India as it will play an important role in developing the grass-root structure of football.
“However, it’s not me who takes the call.
“FIFA is a democratic organisation and the Executive Committee which has 24 members will decide it.”
All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Praful Patel claimed he was optimistic about the country’s chances of successful bids.
“We are in a serious bid to host the Under-17 World Cup in 2017,” he said.
“That is our mission and objective.
“I am hoping to see the bid going through.
“We will make a strong pitch.”
The 2013 and 2015 events for the Under-17 World Cup have already been awarded to the United Arab Emirates and Chile.
Patel wants to use the event to help develop the sport in India.
“If we start working on a under-17 team now, we will be ready for the World Cup,” he said.
“We can get a wild card entry as the hosts.”
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