FIFA U-20 World Cup is unique opportunity for fans

The FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019 took centre stage in Lodz today as FIFA Legend Fernando Morientes and the President of the Polish Football Association Zbigniew Boniek visited the city, which will host ten matches including the opener and final, 37 days ahead of the tournament kick-off.

“The FIFA U-20 World Cup was an amazing experience. Making it all the way to the semi-finals in 1995 as part of a fantastic Spanish squad that featured Raúl, Michel Salgado, Iván de la Peña and Joseba Etxeberria, to mention just a few players, was one of the highlights of my career,” said Morientes.

“I got to know about Poland’s passion for football from my Liverpool team-mate Jerzy Dudek and today I could see how the President of the Polish FA, Zbigniew Boniek, himself a legend, is working hard to turn the competition into a great celebration of the game. I’m sure Polish fans will embrace the U-20 World Cup as they will have a unique opportunity to see world class football on their doorstep and at affordable prices.”

“Apart from the fact that fans are sure to be watching some of the stars of tomorrow, what makes the tournament so special is the fact that it is wide open, since plenty of teams have a chance to make it to the later stages,” added Morientes.

“It is a great honour for the Polish football community and my country to host the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Preparations for the tournament are going as planned, so I am convinced that guests from around the world will enjoy their stay in Poland in May and June. The city of Lodz will be our football capital because it is there that the U-20 World Cup final and all of Poland’s group matches will be held,” said Polish FA President Zbigniew Boniek.

“I played for Widzew Lodz for six happy years: it is the club that shaped me both as a football player and as a person. I would therefore like to invite everyone to Lodz, which is a city that loves football and is sure to give a warm welcome to football fans, officials, and all those who want to see the best young football talent in the world. However, we must not forget the other Host Cities of Bielsko-Biala, Bydgoszcz, Gdynia, Lublin and Tychy. Each city has something unique to offer and will make the FIFA U-20 World Cup an unforgettable experience. I encourage all fans to buy tickets in order to enjoy the performances of the world's top young players and the unique atmosphere of a spectacular football event.”