How the UAE hosted the 2003 FIFA Youth World Cup and football's future stars
By
Faisal Al Zaabi
Summary
The article recounts the UAE hosting the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship (now U-20 World Cup), originally scheduled for March/April but postponed due to the Iraq War. Held from November 27 to December 19 across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Al Ain, the tournament featured future football stars like Andres Iniesta, Dani Alves, and Javier Mascherano, making it a landmark international sporting event for the UAE at the time.
Source
bskyHow the UAE hosted the 2003 FIFA Youth World Cup and football's future starsthenationalnews.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledThe Fifa World Youth Championship, now known as the Fifa Under-20 World Cup, was held in the Emirates from November 27 to December 19, bringing 24 teams to seven stadiums across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Al Ain.
The tournament had originally been scheduled for March and April that year but was postponed because of the Iraq War.
When it eventually kicked off in late November, it became one of the most significant international football events hosted by the UAE at the time.
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