September 10, 2025 | 03:07 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian national football team is gearing up for a decisive phase in its bid to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Under head coach Patrick Kluivert, the Garuda squad will face two tough opponents in the fourth round of Group B in the Asian qualifiers this October.
Indonesia will first take on hosts Saudi Arabia at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on October 9, with kickoff scheduled at 12:15 AM WIB.
Three days later, on October 12 at 02:30 AM WIB, Jay Idzes and his teammates will return to the same venue to meet Iraq.
To advance directly to the final qualification round, Indonesia must finish as group winners. A second-place finish would still keep hopes alive, as runners-up are granted another chance through the fifth round to secure an intercontinental playoff berth.
The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Preparations and Friendlies
Ahead of the October fixtures, the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) arranged two FIFA Match Day friendlies in September.
Initially, Indonesia was set to play Kuwait and Lebanon. However, Kuwait pulled out, and Taiwan stepped in as a replacement.
In the two matches held at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in Surabaya, East Java, Kluivert’s men delivered mixed results: a commanding 6-0 win over Taiwan on September 5, followed by a goalless draw against Lebanon on September 8. These performances offered a glimpse of the team’s current strengths and areas for improvement.
PSSI Chair Erick Thohir expressed satisfaction with the squad’s depth and balance, highlighting the diverse backgrounds of the players.
“The diaspora from the Netherlands is here, as well as players with experience in America, Italy, Spain, and, of course, many talents from the Indonesian League,” Erick told reporters after the Lebanon match, as quoted by Antara news agency.
Erick also praised the players’ consistency in applying Kluivert’s tactical approach across both games. The Lebanon match, in particular, gave valuable insight into the physical style of Middle Eastern teams. He stressed the importance of composure, reminding players not to be provoked during such encounters.
Still, Erick admitted there are areas to refine, most notably in finishing. Despite creating several opportunities against Lebanon, Indonesia failed to convert them into goals, signaling a need for sharper execution in front of goal.
Indonesia’s Upcoming World Cup Qualifier Fixtures
October 9, 2025 (00:15 WIB) – Saudi Arabia vs Indonesia (Jeddah)
October 12, 2025 (02:30 WIB) – Iraq vs Indonesia (Jeddah)
With momentum from September’s matches and a growing sense of cohesion under Kluivert, the Garuda squad now turns its focus to the high-stakes battles in Jeddah, matches that could bring Indonesia closer than ever to a long-awaited World Cup appearance.
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