This archive report was first published on 12 May 2020.
On May 12, 2020, Fifa announced the postponement of the women's Under-17 World Cup, originally scheduled for November 2020, to February 17, 2021. The decision was made in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has brought international sport to a standstill.
The tournament, to be played in five cities across India, will now take place in 2021, giving the host cities more time to prepare and provide momentum for the event.
India had been looking to boost its international standing as a host of top sporting events, following the successful hosting of the men's Under-17 World Cup in 2017.
"All the host cities have put in a lot of effort and commitment so far, and we are happy that the new dates will allow them to make up for the lost time and provide momentum going forward," said the local organising committee in response to the Fifa announcement.
Additionally, Fifa has also unveiled new dates for this year's U-20 Women's World Cup in Costa Rica and Panama, which will now be played from January 20 to February 6, 2021. The 2020 Fifa Futsal World Cup in Lithuania has been pushed back to September 12, 2021, and the 70th Fifa Congress, originally scheduled for Addis Ababa, will now be held as an online event on September 18, 2020.
