All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel has confirmed that India has formally submitted a bid for hosting the FIFA under-20 World Cup, to be held in 2019, and is willing to play the tournament with same core squad of under-17.
"India has formally put its bid for U-20 World Cup in 2019. It has been not decided by FIFA yet but we do expect that after hosting this World Cup (under-17) and FIFA executive council coming to India (in Kolkata from 26th to 28th October) we will be able to convince FIFA for hosting the 2019 World Cup as well.
"We will continue to keep the team. We will ask our coach (luis Norton de Matos) to continue post the games (World Cup) also. So that we can continue to nurture this young crop (of players) that we have developed into true stars of tomorrow, add more talent to the group and be stronger for the U-20 World Cup," the AIFF president added.
Patel also clarified that there would be no restriction on any player looking for greener pasture elsewhere after the World Cup, adding that the players would be duly taken care of.
"There's not going to be any restriction. Today they are untested and we are still offering them future. We as a nation want to build a strong team for the future. And they are going to be rewarded reasonably well. We will like to balance the future of the Indian football team and these players as well."
Patel, who is also Chairman of local Organising Committee for the U-17 World Cup also announced its efficacious preparation for all the six venues - New Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Kolkata, Guwahati and Kochi of upcoming tournament.
"I am extremely happy and proud to announce that we as a nation are 100 per cent ready to host the prestigious event. As we speak, the entire infrastructure, in each of the six venues, is in place. Fully approved and certified (by FIFA). Five of the venues are formally handed over to FIFA," he said.
Patel also spoke about the preparedness of the Indian squad for the opening match and players' future after the World Cup: "I met the players few days back and I was so delighted to see the zeal and hunger they have to showcase their talent to the world. I personally told them do not play with any pressure. Nobody is going to ask you questions on performance; just think about your country and play to win for the country and make us proud.
"It was interesting to see how confident they were and were already thinking about their future with Indian team after the World Cup."
Indian U-17 team coach Matos is happy with the progress the squad has made under him since he took charge of the team eight months back. However, lack of competitive experience concerns him.
"Since I took this project, at the end of February, players took time to adapt to my process and now they are well-prepared," Matos said here on Tuesday. "What worries me is the lack of competitive game practice for the squad. We played a lot of friendlies but they don't create the pressure of a competitive match - everyone plays without the fear to lose. Our opponents have that edge over us."
Matos feels that irrespective of Indian teams performance at the World Cup, there must not be burden of expectation on the team and everyone should feel proud for the boys representing India at such stage for the first time.
"On 6th October when we play - India play United States of America in their group opener — we want to play with sentiment of lions, we want to win the game. And if we don't win the game, in the end we must be proud of our players, proud for the way they played at big stage," said the India U-17 coach.
The AIFF president also announced that AIFF is planning to set up National Football centre of excellence, which will be the home of every Indian national team including men and women. The venue, however, is yet to be finalised as the project is currently at its early stages.