August 3, 2026 | 03:53 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said he believes Indonesia deserves to qualify for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, calling on all stakeholders to unite behind the national team's long-term development.
Speaking in a message delivered at the opening of the 2026 Ordinary Congress of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) in Jakarta on Monday, Prabowo said Indonesia should set ambitious goals befitting a major nation. The speech was read by PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir.
“Indonesia is a great nation. A great nation must have great ambitions and the courage to achieve them. I believe Indonesia deserves to play at the 2030 World Cup,” Prabowo said.
Indonesia came close to qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but was eliminated in the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers in Saudi Arabia in October last year after defeats to Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
Prabowo acknowledged that reaching the World Cup would require sustained effort and could not be achieved easily.
Calls for 2030 World Cup Roadmap
The president also instructed Erick Thohir to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for Indonesia’s journey toward the 2030 World Cup, which will mark the tournament’s centenary. He said the blueprint should serve as the foundation for the country's long-term football development.
“I want to make it clear that this great ambition cannot be achieved by the government or PSSI alone. This is a national undertaking,” Prabowo said.
He called on football clubs, academies, coaches, players, supporters, regional governments, businesses, the media, and the wider public to work together toward the same objective.
“I am confident that through unity, hard work, discipline, and the spirit of mutual cooperation, Indonesia can achieve this great ambition. Not only to qualify for the 2030 World Cup, but also to build a stronger Indonesia that is increasingly respected on the global stage,” he said.
Indonesia's campaign to qualify for the 2030 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to begin next year with the Asian qualifying competition.
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