It may not yet assume the category of furor, but the enthusiasm for being chosen as the headquarters of the Argentina Under 20 World Cup is perceived strong in the silver. Sold out tickets from presale to access the unique stadium Diego Maradonahotels blocked for passengers who do not belong to sports delegations and shops preparing special menus to be offered on match dates are some of the signs that show the high expectations that exist in the capital of Buenos Aires.
But, in addition, there are other movements to put the city in tune with a world scenario that – undoubtedly – collects some traces of the madness that the coronation of the senior national team generated just five months ago, with Lionel Messi and the fabulous Scaloneta in Qatar 2022.
In a city with an intense football fervourthe already traditional ones will be installed fanfest, there will be gastronomic moves with typical local and international dishes from the main countries in the competition. In addition, free transfers to the headquarters of the parties and QR codes on public transport to encourage tourism in the city. In the Municipality of La Plata they prepare “live a world experience”.
According to the calendar established by FIFA, the capital of the province of Buenos Aires will be the venue that will concentrate the greatest number of matches throughout the competition. And you will have the icing on the cake: the semi-finals and the grand finale.
For now there is a mishap with no possibility of a solution: the cracks and missing ones in the roof of the stadium. Storms and squalls ruptured the bridge which imported components. In the government of the Province of Buenos Aires -which manages the property from the General Secretariat of the Interior- they admit it will be “impossible” to fix it in time. Photos with that defect will remain as part of the World Cup images.
Al Diego Maradona 18 games will be played which will feature the main teams in the competition: Brazil, Uruguay, England and France, among others.
With this perspective and expectation, the municipality and the Municipal Tourist Board (EMATUR) have agreed with the gastronomy sector to work on the preparation of menus inspired by the selected participants in the tournament, including Colombia, Japan, Uruguay, Brazil, England and France.
At the Fan Fest there will also be an area dedicated to communities with food trucks that will present typical dishes of passing countries and various recreational activities. It will work in Plaza Moreno on Calle 12 between 51 and 54 with giant screens, cultural shows and food trucks.
ball and tourism
The authorities intend to exploit the sporting impulse to couple the tourist offer. QR will be installed in taxis with information so that visitors arriving in the city can visit various emblematic spaces. It will also include relevant data on guided tours, performances in theaters and cultural centers and interactive games.
They aim to promote in these three weeks visits to the Paseo del Bosque, the Astronomical Observatory, the Museum of Natural Sciences, the fields of the Gimnasia and Estudiantes clubs, the National University of La Plata, theaters, cultural centers and the historic Republic of Children. All emblematic sites that distinguish the provincial capital.
In recent years, hotel chains have built and expanded the accommodation spaces. It was one of the weak points of the city which has almost 900,000 inhabitants.
“The permanent growth of tourism and the opportunity to host the Under 20 World Cup mean work for the people of La Plata”, says the mayor enthusiastically Julius Garrofrom Together for the change.
At the same time that there will be specially designed vans to pick up visitors from hotels to take them away free of charge at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium on Avenida 32 and 25.
“In line with its growth as a tourist destination, the city strengthens its beer brand thanks to artisan producers who produce a large number of varieties and make them known through fairs, festivals and tastings,” explained Garro.
With pizzerias, cafeterias, ice cream parlors and a large variety of refreshment points, gastronomy is another of its emblems, offering not only menus for all tastes, but also a constantly changing day and night life in areas such as Meridiano V, Diagonale 74, City Bell and Gonnet.
“‘La Plata, Ciudad Mundial’ will be the brand that will give impetus to the proposals that will be developed in the city for this very important event”, said the head of EMATUR, Daniel Loyolaand ensured that “it is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to advertise their attractive propositions to captivate neighbors and visitors”.
The grid of the match
This is the grid of matches that FIFA has organized to be played at Unico:
- Sunday 21/5: Israel vs. Colombia
- Sunday 21/5: Senegal vs. Japan
- Monday 22/5: England vs. Tunisia
- Monday 22/5: Uruguay vs. Iraq
- Wednesday 24/5: Senegal vs. Israel Wednesday
- 24/5: Japan vs. Colombia
- Thursday 25/5: Uruguay vs. England
- Thursday 25/5: Iraq vs. Tunisia
- Saturday 27/5: Brazil vs. Nigeria
- Saturday 27/5: Colombia vs. Senegal
- Sunday 28/5: Iraq vs. England
- Sunday 28/5: Honduras vs. France
- Wednesday 31/5: round of 16 (1N vs. 3B/E/F)
- Wednesday 31/5: Round of 16 (1E vs 2N)
- Thursday 8/6: Semifinal 1
- Thursday 8/6: Semifinal 2
- Sunday 11/6: Third and fourth place
- Sunday 11/6: FINAL.
Is the Argentine national team coming?
The team coached by Javier Mascherano would have just set foot on Diego Maradona’s turf in a hypothetical semi-final and a possible final. Otherwise, the people of La Plata will not see the albiceleste. Equally, it’s not too worrying: in two days the tickets available for the final were sold out.
La Plata (Correspondent)
Source: Clarin
Jason Root is the go-to source for sports coverage at News Rebeat. With a passion for athletics and an in-depth knowledge of the latest sports trends, Jason provides comprehensive and engaging analysis of the world of sports.