The Indonesian team will not choose Bung Karno Stadium as their home stadium in the group stage of the 2024 AFF Cup. The reason given by the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) is because they are concerned that the number of spectators coming to the stadium is low, not filling the country's national stadium.
Instead, the Indonesian team chose Manahan Stadium with a capacity of only 20,000 seats, 1/4 of the capacity of Bung Karno Stadium, as their home stadium in the group stage. This is one of the venues for the final round of the 2023 U17 World Cup.
Head of the Indonesian football delegation, Mr. Sumardji affirmed: "For the group stage matches, when Indonesia meets Laos and the Philippines, we will use Manahan Stadium. If the team advances to the semi-finals, we will not play there anymore. At the same time, after this time, we will announce the new home stadium.
I think it is reasonable not to use Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in the AFF Cup 2024. The Indonesian team will use Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in March 2025 when they meet Bahrain in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Therefore, everything at this stadium must be carefully prepared, without any mistakes."
This decision shows that the Indonesian team seems to be focusing on the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and is not taking the AFF Cup - a regional tournament - too seriously.
Previously, coach Shin Tae-yong also announced the list of players to prepare for the AFF Cup. Most of the Indonesian players called up are under 22 years old, including national players such as Pratama Arhan or Ferdinan and 3 other naturalized players. Their important naturalized players who just played in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers will not be participating in this year's tournament.
Thus, Indonesia became the second team in Group B to change the stadium in the AFF Cup 2024, after Vietnam. In the upcoming tournament, the Vietnamese team will also compete at Viet Tri Stadium (Phu Tho), instead of My Dinh National Stadium.
