The Under-17 World Cup will kick off in New Delhi, marking India's first-ever FIFA tournament, world football's governing body said Monday despite initial concern over air quality in the world's most polluted capital. After a week-long inspection, authorities selected six cities across the country including Mumbai and New Delhi for the U-17 matches, FIFA said.
"The match schedule has been created following a thorough analysis of players' health, competition format, team movements, weather, local festivities, geography and other factors," said Jaime Yarza, head of FIFA tournaments, in a statement. Last month FIFA U-17 World Cup tournament director Javier Ceppi said that air quality in Delhi was a "serious concern", particularly since the tournament will be held in the same month as the Diwali festival, when residents celebrate by setting huge amounts of fireworks.