Indonesian football boss strongly criticizes AFC because World Cup dream may be shattered

'This October, what can I say, the pressure is still very high', PSSI President Erick Thohir lamented and criticized the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for many problems, putting the Indonesian team at a disadvantage in the fourth qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup.

From neutral ground to having a host, appointing West Asian referees, putting Indonesia at a disadvantage

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has just held a press conference to update the situation in the fourth qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia. Accordingly, PSSI President Erick Thohir expressed many concerns, in which many decisions of AFC regarding the round have caused great disadvantages for the Indonesian team, the only team in Southeast Asia that still has a chance to compete for a ticket to the final round.

The Indonesian team is the sole representative of the Southeast Asian region in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia.

Photo: Reuters

Mr. Erick Thohir said that PSSI has sent a letter of protest to AFC and hopes that there will be amendments to help the Indonesian team reduce the disadvantage before facing opponents from the West Asian region such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq to compete for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

At the press conference, PSSI and Mr. Erick Thohir raised many issues, including criticizing AFC for changing the fourth qualifying round venue from a neutral venue to two groups with both having a host team, specifically at the draw ceremony, it was specified: Qatar (host) group A also has UAE, Oman; and group B is Saudi Arabia (host) with Iraq and Indonesia.

"In October, what can I say, the pressure is still very high. Previously, the matches (fourth qualifying round) were on neutral ground, but now there is a host. The host team (Saudi Arabia) is also competing for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup, and of course they have an advantage. Even the match time, we strongly protested, fortunately they changed it," PSSI President Erick Thohir expressed.

Accordingly, the two official matches of the Indonesian team in Group B of the fourth qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia have been confirmed by AFC, including the opening match against Saudi Arabia being changed to 0:15 on October 9, and the remaining match against Iraq taking place at 2:30 on October 12 (both Vietnam time).

AFC causes shock when appointing West Asian referees to officiate Indonesia team matches

But after the match schedule was set, Mr. Erick Thohir was even more shocked when it was announced that AFC would appoint Kuwaiti referees to officiate Indonesia's opening match against Saudi Arabia, as well as referees from another West Asian region to officiate the remaining match against Iraq.

The Indonesian team will suffer many disadvantages in its goal of winning a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

Photo: Reuters

"This is unbelievable. The referees in the West Asia region are from the same region as the Saudi Arabian and Iraqi teams. Moreover, in September, we were refused by the Kuwaiti team at the last minute to play a friendly match after confirmation. Therefore, the appointment of referees from Kuwait and the West Asia region to officiate the matches of the Indonesian team is unacceptable.

We have sent a letter of protest to FIFA and AFC. We suggest that they appoint neutral referees from Australia, Japan, China, or even Europe, if possible. We will wait and see the results," Mr. Erick Thohir emphasized, and declared that he would not accept any imposition on referees in the West Asia region.

Mr. Erick Thohir also said that despite facing many disadvantages and difficulties, PSSI has prepared the best conditions for the Indonesian team to compete in the fourth qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia. Including sending an advance team to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to ensure independent facilities for accommodation, living and training.

Another difficulty for the Indonesian team is that most of the naturalized players play in Europe and many other places. They only returned to practice from October 6, leaving them with very little time to practice.

PSSI also noted the possibility that AFC would cancel all yellow cards from the previous round, which would suddenly benefit many teams. In addition, the allocation of tickets for fans traveling to Saudi Arabia to support their teams is very limited...

In another development, the Indonesian press expressed concern that the AFC’s decisions are favoring the host teams to win tickets to the 2026 World Cup, putting the remaining teams at a disadvantage. In particular, the Indonesian team could have its World Cup dream shattered.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/sep-lon-bong-da-indonesia-chi-trich-du-doi-afc-vi-giac-mo-world-cup-co-the-tan-vo-18525091710285444.htm