YEREVAN/TBILISI, April 29 (Xinhua) -- World soccer governing body FIFA has named Georgia and Armenia as co-hosts of the 2029 U-20 World Cup, marking the first time the two South Caucasus countries will host a FIFA tournament.
The joint bid was approved at a FIFA Council meeting on April 28 in Vancouver, Canada, on the eve of the 76th FIFA Congress.
The tournament, held every two years since 1977, features 24 teams in its final round.
The Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) called it "an unprecedented achievement," saying it reflected the international football community's high confidence and would give young Armenian players and fans the chance to experience a World Cup atmosphere on home soil.
"Hosting this tournament is of great importance for both federations," said FFA president Armen Melikbekyan, adding that he was confident both Georgia and Armenia would host the World Cup with dignity and would do everything possible to make the tournament stand out in the history of FIFA's youth competitions.
President of the Georgian Football Federation (GFF) Levan Kobiashvili said he was confident the tournament would leave a lasting mark on football development in the region.
"This is truly a remarkable event -- for the first time in the history of independent Georgian football, we will host a world-class tournament under FIFA's auspices," added Kobiashvili. ■
