The Indonesian team caused a surprise when they defeated Saudi Arabia with a score of 2-0 on November 19. They rose to 3rd place in Group C, the 3rd qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup.
Hope of attending the biggest football festival on the planet is also wide open because they are only 1 point behind the team above Australia, equal on points with Saudi Arabia, China and Bahrain.
Sharing about this achievement, President of the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) - billionaire Erick Thohir - expressed to Italian news site Corriere Dello Sport: "The biggest determination will be placed on the matches taking place in March and June 2025. The goal must be to win 6 points."
“The win against Saudi Arabia was the key. If we lost to them, it would have been difficult to get a top-four spot. Now, hope is alive again,” he added.
Erick Thohir confirmed that he will prepare a bonus if Shin Tae-yong and his team win 2 out of the remaining 4 matches in Group C.
“Previously, we set a target of 12 points, now the team has 6 points. We need to win 2 more matches to reach 12 points. If we can win 2 matches and draw 1, then I will increase the bonus."
In March 2025, the archipelago nation will visit Australia. They will then return home to host Bahrain and China. Indonesia will need to make the most of their two home games to earn six points.
"Indonesia is a sleeping giant. Despite its great potential, football has not been well managed, professional and transparent in the past. But today, the passion for football among Indonesians has never been higher. Everyone can see how hard the Federation is working to have an effective and solid roadmap.
Never before has the Indonesian team sold out so many consecutive matches at home. Sponsors in all fields are willing to cooperate with us, and revenue from television rights has doubled. The team attracts a lot of public attention. Being able to participate in the 2026 World Cup will be an extraordinary achievement," said Mr. Erick Thohir.
