March 31, 2026 | 04:46 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PSSI chair Erick Thohir has thanked FIFA for entrusting Indonesia to host one of the FIFA Series tournaments, marking the first time in the country’s football history that it has staged the event.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Erick expressed his appreciation to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, President Prabowo Subianto, and the Indonesian government for their support in making the tournament possible.
“We hope that by hosting the FIFA Series, FIFA will continue to give us opportunities. If there are other FIFA tournaments in the future, hopefully we will be considered again. At the very least, we have done our best for FIFA,” Erick said after the FIFA Series final between Indonesia and Bulgaria at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday, March 30.
FIFA has praised Indonesia for the successful organization of the 2026 FIFA Series. FIFA Director for Asia and Oceania Sanjeevan Balasingam said Indonesia showed a high level of professionalism in staging the tournament, supported by strong government backing and the public’s strong enthusiasm for football.
FIFA has also opened the possibility for Indonesia to host future events, signaling confidence in the country’s ability to stage international football competitions.
Erick also highlighted the Indonesian national team’s performance, saying it still deserved appreciation despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to Bulgaria in the 2026 FIFA Series final on Monday.
He said the final showed that Indonesia was able to compete against a European team with strong experience and quality.
“We were facing a team that cannot be underestimated, one that reached the World Cup semifinals in 1994. Many of their players also compete in Europe. This is a great opportunity for us to improve the quality of the national team. And as all of the media have seen, coach John [Herdman] has so far succeeded in transforming the national team,” he said.
Erick added that the benefits of the FIFA Series would not stop with the men’s national team. He confirmed that Indonesia’s women’s national team will also have the chance to compete in a FIFA Series event in Thailand, allowing the national team development program to continue on a more sustainable basis.
Read: Amnesty Flags FIFA World Cup Human Rights Risks
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Amnesty Flags FIFA World Cup Human Rights Risks
23 jam lalu
The human rights group has sounded the alarm about risks faced by visitors to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA Series: Indonesia vs Bulgaria Match Schedule Tonight
1 hari lalu
Indonesia will play their final match of the 2026 FIFA Series on Monday night, facing European side Bulgaria at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium.
2026 FIFA Series: Bulgaria Won't Underestimate Indonesia in Final
1 hari lalu
FIFA Series: Bulgarian national team player Vladimir Nikolov said that having a superior FIFA ranking over Indonesia does not guarantee victory.
FIFA Confirms New 2026 World Cup Rules: What's Changing?
4 hari lalu
Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, FIFA has approved a set of new World Cup rules to stop time-wasting, including a 10-second substitution limit.
PSSI Reveals Staff Under Coach John Herdman
5 hari lalu
PSSI has announced the coaching staff for the Indonesian senior national team under John Herdman, including experts in tactics, performance, and more.
World Cup Fans File Ticket Price Complaint at EU
6 hari lalu
World Cup tickets are reaching eye-watering prices, with one seat resold for over 163,000. Fans are asking the EU to step in.
FIFA Rejects Iranian Request to Move World Cup Games to Mexico
11 hari lalu
FIFA has poured cold water on Iran's bid to move its three World Cup group-stage matches from the United States to co-host Mexico.
Iran Says It's Boycotting the U.S., Not FIFA World Cup
11 hari lalu
President of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, stated that the country will continue to prepare to participate in the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA Sanctions Israel Over Palestinian Discrimination
11 hari lalu
FIFA has imposed sanctions on the Israeli Football Association (IFA) over multiple discrimination breaches.
World Cup 2026: Is the US-Iran War an Ethical Tipping Point?
13 hari lalu
As the U.S. hosts the 2026 World Cup, its war with qualified Iran deepens ethical concerns.
