Indonesian National Team Fails to Qualify for 2026 World Cup, PSSI Chair Erick Thohir Apologizes
Reporter
October 12, 2025 | 10:53 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chair of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI), Erick Thohir, apologized to all elements of Indonesian society because the Indonesian National Team failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The Garuda squad was eliminated after losing 0-1 to Iraq in the second match of Group B in the qualifying round on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
"We apologize that the dream of Indonesia entering the 2026 World Cup cannot be realized," wrote Erick, who also serves as the Minister of Youth and Sports in his social media account monitored in Jakarta on Sunday.
The Chair of PSSI, Erick Thohir, provides a press statement regarding the 2025 Independence Cup at the Press Conference Room of Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (GBK), Jakarta, July 31, 2025. Antara/Fauzan
The Indonesian National Team showed promise in the early stages of the match against Iraq at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, early Sunday morning WIB. Jay Idzes and his teammates were able to create several opportunities in the first half, but could not capitalize on them into goals. On the other hand, Iraq eventually emerged as the winner thanks to a single goal from Zidane Iqbal in the 76th minute.
The result ensures Indonesia's elimination from the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone, following a 3-2 defeat against Saudi Arabia at the same stadium last Thursday. These two defeats have placed the Red and White Team at the bottom of Group B without any points. Meanwhile, Iraq and Saudi Arabia will compete to determine the group champion to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Erick Thohir expressed his gratitude to the supporters, players, and officials who have fought to bring Indonesia to the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. "For the first time in Indonesian history, we were able to go this far," he wrote.
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