FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Monday South Korea hosted a successful Under-20 World Cup, congratulating local organizers and thanking people for their support for the men's youth football tournament.
South Korea staged the U-20 World Cup from May 20 to last Sunday in six cities and welcomed 24 teams. Infantino landed in South Korea on Saturday to watch the final between England and Venezuela, and to meet with football officials here.
"It was fantastic," Infantino said of South Korea's first U-20 World Cup hosting. "We all felt it was great and a big success. And the football was great as well."
This was Infantino's second visit to South Korea since he became the chief of the world football governing body in February 2016. He previously visited the country in April 2016.
Infantino also had a meeting with Korea Football Association President Chung Mong-gyu, who was also the chief organizer of the U-20 World Cup, at the KFA House in Seoul. It marked the first time since 1999 that a FIFA chief visited the South Korean football governing body's headquarters.
"We talked about how Korean football can be an example and help the countries in the region as well as other parts of the world for football development," Infantino said.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino (4th from left) and Korea Football Association (KFA) President Chung Mong-gyu (3rd from left) pose for a photo with KFA employees at the KFA House in Seoul on June 12, 2017. (Yonhap) |
