October 8, 2025 | 06:57 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian national team will embark on its journey in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualification in the Asian zone. The Garuda squad will face Saudi Arabia in the first match at the King Abdullah Sport City, Jeddah, on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 00:15 WIB (Western Indonesian Time). The match will be broadcast live by RCTI and Vision+.
The Thursday dawn duel will be the third meeting between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia in the last year. The two teams previously met in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification in September and November 2024. From the two meetings, Indonesia remained unbeaten. After holding Saudi Arabia to a 1-1 draw in Jeddah, Indonesia secured a 2-0 victory in Jakarta.
Indonesian national team coach Patrick Kluivert, who will have his seventh match with the Garuda team, admitted that he is not afraid of the game, which he described as a do-or-die match. "I am not afraid. Because if you are afraid, you show your weakness. Of course, we need to be confident and respect the opponent, but if you show fear and weakness, it actually gives strength to the opponent," said Kluivert at the press conference ahead of the match on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
Kluivert knows that Saudi Arabia is an experienced team at this stage. The team nicknamed the Green Falcons has played in the World Cup six times. They are now targeting their seventh World Cup, or their third consecutive one after 2018 in Russia and 2022 in Qatar.
However, Kluivert wants his team to remain calm. "We know how strong the Saudi Arabian team is, especially because they are playing at home, with all the supporters alongside them. So, we need to focus. The most important thing is our mindset. And remain calm in all situations," said the Dutch coach.
Meanwhile, Jay Idzes, captain of the Indonesian national team, stated that qualifying for the 2026 World Cup is not impossible. However, he acknowledges that it will be challenging. "We know this will not be easy. Not impossible, but not easy. I think it will be a great match between two great teams. Great teams, so we look forward to it," said the Sassuolo player.
2026 World Cup Qualification Schedule in the Asian Zone
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Oman vs Qatar (22.00 WIB)
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Indonesia vs Saudi Arabia (00.15 WIB).
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