FIFA lifts ban; India to host U-17 Women's World Cup

By: WE STAFF | Monday, 29 August 2022

FIFA has lifted the ban against the All India Football Federation (AIFF). As a result India will continue to host the Under-17 Women’s World Cup as planned.

FIFA’s Council had suspended the AIFF from hosting any FIFA-related football tournamentsciting undue third-party influence. This had impacted the U-17 Women’s World Cup as well which was scheduled to take place in India from Oct. 11-30th. 

FIFA had mentioned that the suspension would only be lifted when India had repealed the CoA and the AIFF administration had resumed full operational controls. 

The Football Association announced that India had fulfilled the conditions set by the governing body.  FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation will also continue to observe the situation in India.  

AIFF acting General Secretary SunandoDhar showed gratitude to FIFA for its support and condemned the actions that led to the ban. “The darkest hour of Indian Football is finally over. The suspension that was slapped on midnight of August 15 on the AIFF, has been lifted by FIFA. We sincerely thank FIFA and AFC, especially the AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John for guiding us in such difficult times,” said Sunando. 

As the matter has been resolved the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is all set to begin on Oct 11. This will be the 7th edition of the FIFA U-17 World.It is also India’s second time hosting a FIFA tournament; the first was the Men’s 2017 U-17 World Cup.

The U-17 Women’s World Cup tournament will see 16 teams battle for the title. Team Morocco, Tanzania, and India will be marking their debuts.