India bids for 2015 Club World Cup, U-17 World Cup in 2017

All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel launched the country's bid to host the prestigious 2015 Club World Cup and the 2017 U-17 World Cup in the presence of FIFA president Sepp Blatter in New Delhi on Friday.

While FIFA in January had already agreed in principle to award the Under-17 World Cup to India, AIFF's decision to bid for the Club World Cup came as a surprise. The decision on the hosts of the two tournament would be taken later this month by the FIFA executive committee in Zurich.

Blatter, who was on his second visit to India, said that country enjoys his blessings to host the U-17 World Cup since it would be a step in the right direction.

"The U-17 World Cup fits India's scheme of things. It will be a step in the right direction in terms of grass roots development. There is a good possibility. But I am not the only one in FIFA who decides.

"The decision has to be taken by the executive committee of the FIFA. But India have to start working now with the U-12 teams," said Blatter, flanked by two executive committee members Zhang Zilong, also the president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and Manilal Fernando.