FIFA kicks Indonesia out of 2022 World Cup hosting race after bid fails to get state support

FIFA says Indonesia out of 2022 World Cup race

ZURICH — Indonesia was dropped from the race to host the 2022 World Cup on Friday after failing to provide government guarantees to FIFA.

“We have informed Indonesia that because they have failed to provide a number of documents and guarantees …. Indonesia is not any more a candidate for 2022,” FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said.

Indonesia was always considered the outsider among the 11 original candidates that applied to host the tournament in 2018 or 2022.

Indonesia hosted the 2007 Asian Cup, but would have needed to invest billions of dollars in building and upgrading stadiums to provide the minimum 10 venues for hosting the 32-team World Cup.

Indonesia originally bid to host either tournament, then withdrew from the 2018 contest to focus on 2022.

Valcke said the Indonesia government had other priorities for state funds.

Indonesia is the second bidder to drop out since the March 2009 entry deadline. Mexico withdrew its candidacy last year.

The United States, Australia, England, Japan, Russia, plus the Spain-Portugal and Netherlands-Belgium joint bids, have applied to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. Qatar and South Korea are bidding for 2022 only.

The remaining candidates must deliver their bid books detailing how they would organize the event to FIFA headquarters on May 14.

The two winning bids will be chosen on Dec. 2.