TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Erick Thohir, the chief of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), is seeking maximum results in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers, despite acknowledging the benefits of hosting matches. "We are playing in Saudi Arabia and Qatar," he said on Friday, July 5.
The fourth round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will place six teams divided into two groups. The winner of each group will qualify for the final round, while the runner-up teams will compete for a playoff spot.
Two West Asian countries, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have been officially selected by the AFC to host the World Cup qualifier matches, scheduled for October 2025. In addition to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, other countries that will also vie against the Indonesian national team are Iraq, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar's designation as the hosts sparked protests from other competing teams, as they are deemed more likely to qualify for the World Cup. But Erick said the AFC decision must be respected and the focus must shift to the national team preparation.
As part of the preparation, the Indonesian national team will play friendly matches against Kuwait and Lebanon in September 2025.
"The path to the World Cup includes the fourth round, the fifth round, and subsequent playoffs. We went through the same thing when we tried to qualify for the Olympics. When we played the (Olympics) playoff against Guinea, we played in France. What's important is that we don't become a nation that gives up before fighting. So we must prepare thoroughly," he said.
When asked about the chances that national team coach Patrick Kluivert will fail to qualify the team for the 2026 World Cup, Erick emphasized the virtue of patience.
"Just like coach Mochi (Satoru Mochizuki, the coach of the Indonesian women's national team), coach Patrick is making an effort," Erick said.
He maintained that establishing national football requires patience, just as when the PSSI provided a five-year opportunity for the previous Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong.
"Coach Patrick (Kluivert) has a two-year contract. Yes, we'll wait," he said. "There's no need to rush."
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