Indonesia received a harsh decision in the World Cup qualifiers

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI)'s petition to change the referee has been rejected by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Indonesia (left) promises to face many difficulties in Saudi Arabia - Photo: PSSI

A few days before the Saudi Arabia - Indonesia match in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia, PSSI proposed that AFC change the referee team.

Accordingly, AFC initially appointed Kuwaiti referee Ahmed Al-Ali to officiate the match. The entire line referee, table referee, and VAR referee team are also Kuwaiti.

This has raised concerns for Indonesian football, as Kuwait is a neighbor of Saudi Arabia. PSSI is concerned that Kuwaiti referees will be biased towards the team from the same Middle East region, and has asked the AFC to change the referee panel for this match.

However, this proposal was rejected by AFC. Bola reported that PSSI was forced to accept the decision from the Asian football headquarters.

Indonesian football public opinion was already dissatisfied with FIFA when they chose Saudi Arabia to host Group B of the 4th stage of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia.

There are 6 teams participating in this stage, divided into 2 groups of 3 teams each. Indonesia is in Group B with Saudi Arabia and Iraq. All 3 matches of the group will be played in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia being the host country puts Indonesia at a complete disadvantage in terms of the venue (Iraq is also located in the Middle East). Not only that, they also have to play 2 consecutive matches in 3 days, while Saudi Arabia has a 6-day break between the 2 matches against Indonesia and Iraq.

The Saudi Arabia - Indonesia match will take place at 0:15 on October 9.

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HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/indonesia-nhan-quyet-dinh-phu-phang-o-vong-loai-world-cup-20251007213749984.htm