October 8, 2025 | 11:49 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jay Idzes, the captain of the Indonesian national team, is approaching the two fourth-round matches of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers with high confidence. He knows that reaching the final round in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will be challenging, but not impossible.
At the press conference before Tuesday, October 7, 2025's match against Saudi Arabia at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Idzes chose to describe Indonesia's chances of qualifying for the World Cup as "difficult" rather than "impossible." "It's gonna be not easy. It's not impossible, but it's not easy either. I think it's gonna be a great game between two great teams. Great teams, so we are looking forward to it," said the Sassuolo defender.
The Indonesian national team will face Saudi Arabia on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 12:15 AM WIB (Western Indonesia Time) and Iraq three days later at the same venue. Coach Patrick Kluivert referred to these two matches as finals given the importance of points for Indonesia to maintain hope of automatically qualifying as group champions.
Three teams from each of the two groups will compete for the two automatic qualifying spots for the 2026 World Cup. The group winners will qualify. The second-place team will advance to the fifth round of qualifiers, and the third-place team will be eliminated.
For Idzes, the match in Jeddah is not a new experience. He played at the same stadium a year ago when Indonesia tied Saudi Arabia 1-1. According to Idzes, the current team's main strengths are its togetherness and the players' growing understanding of each other. "We have been together for a longer time. We now know how everybody plays and understand the system we want to play," he said, explaining the differences between Indonesia's strengths in 2024 and 2025.
Although the road to the World Cup is still long and difficult, Idzes chooses to be optimistic but realistic. "We are closer now than last year, but that doesn't change our objective. So, yes, there's not much difference; we're just a little closer, and we've been playing for longer time," he said.
Editor's Choice: FIFA Sanctions Seven Naturalized Players and Malaysian Football Association
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Indonesia vs. Saudi Arabia Match Prediction
14 jam lalu
Indonesia will face Saudi Arabia in the opening match of Group B in the Fourth Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers for the Asian zone.
Patrick Kluivert Views Indonesia vs. Saudi Arabia Match as a 'Final'
15 jam lalu
Patrick Kluivert, the coach of the Indonesian national team, has asserted that his team is ready to do whatever it takes to secure victory.
FIFA, AFC Reject Indonesia's Protest Over Kuwaiti Referee for Saudi Arabia Match
19 jam lalu
FIFA and AFC have rejected the protest from PSSI regarding the appointment of a referee from Kuwait, Ahmed Al-Ali, for the Indonesia vs. Saudi Arabia match in the fourth round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
Profile of Iraq National Team, Indonesia's Stumbling Block in Its World Cup Quest
22 jam lalu
The Iraqi national team has emerged as one of the most stable forces in West Asia under Graham Arnold.
Saudi Arabia Permits Umrah Using Any Type of Visa
1 hari lalu
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has affirmed that holders of all types of visas can perform the Umrah pilgrimage while in the kingdom's territory.
"Make the Country Proud": Patrick Kluivert Optimistic About Indonesia's Chances at World Cup Qualifiers
4 hari lalu
Patrick Kluivert welcomes the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers for Group B with optimism
Unique Umrah Experience: Cruise Ship Journey Through Five Nations
4 hari lalu
This 14-day, 13-night Umrah journey travels from Port Klang, Malaysia, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Indonesian National Team for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Schedule, Lineup, and More
4 hari lalu
The Indonesian national team will compete in Group B Qualifiers for the fourth round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They will face off against Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
5 Saudi Arabia Players Indonesia Must Watch in World Cup Qualifiers
4 hari lalu
Saudi Arabia advanced from the third round with 13 points, just one above Indonesia. Focus now turns to key players who could shape the next stage.
Arab and Muslim Nations Including Indonesia Welcome Trump's Gaza Peace Plan
7 hari lalu
In a joint statement released on Monday, Arab and several Muslim countries formally endorsed Trump's peace proposal to end the war in Gaza.
