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The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams, offering more slots than ever before, a rare window that may not open so widely again.
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Shattered dream: Indonesian midfielders Thom Haye (right) and Miliano Jonathans (left, back) look dejected after their 1-0 loss to Iraq in the FIFA World Cup fourth-round qualifier on Oct. 11 local time at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (REUTERS/Stringer)
F
or the past 24 months, Indonesia yearned for its first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification. The journey was a rollercoaster of euphoria and heartbreak that ended in agony.
The dream began brightly in the first round of the Asian qualifiers back in October 2023, when the Garuda squad crushed Brunei 6–0 both in Jakarta and Bandar Seri Begawan. Optimism soared as Indonesia advanced, achieving notable results such as a home draw against Australia and a victory over Saudi Arabia. However, the dream was shattered in the fourth round, played on Saudi Arabian turf.
In the first of two matches, Indonesia lost 3–2 to the host despite an early 1–0 lead in the opening 10 minutes and two awarded penalties. Hopes flickered again against Iraq but were dashed when former Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal fired a long-range strike from outside the penalty box in the 76th minute, sealing Indonesia’s fate.
The campaign was defined by Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) chairman Erick Thohir’s bold decision to naturalize numerous players of Indonesian descent from abroad, mostly the former colonial power, the Netherlands. The strategy instantly elevated the team’s quality, with nine of the 11 starters in the do-or-die match against Iraq over the weekend being naturalized players.
Inconsistency and poor results in the third round led to the dismissal of the beloved South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong, who was replaced by Dutch soccer legend Patrick Kluivert earlier this year. Despite the turbulence, the fans never stopped believing; stadiums remained packed and chants continued to thunder.
Yet, even with an upgraded squad and unwavering support, the Garuda squad fell just short of flight.
Still, the players deserve immense credit for their grit and sacrifice. Due to its low FIFA ranking, Indonesia was the only team to start from the first qualification round and reach the fourth. That journey alone boosted the nation’s FIFA ranking from around 150th to 119th.
