FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Draw: Indonesia to Face Bulgaria

6 days ago 21

January 20, 2026 | 10:20 am

Indonesian national team coach John Herdman at a press conference at the Mulia Senayan Hotel, Jakarta, January 13, 2026. The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) officially introduced John Herdman as the head coach of the Indonesian national team with a two-year contract with an option for a two-year extension, or a 2+2 scheme. Herdman is also entrusted with coaching the Indonesian U-23 national team. The Canadian coach is projected to lead the Indonesian national team's preparations for the 2030 World Cup. Tempo/Ilham Balindra

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - FIFA has officially announced the list of participants and group stages for the 2026 FIFA Series. The international friendly tournament will feature 48 national teams from six confederations, including the Indonesian national team, which has been selected as one of the hosts.

The 2026 FIFA Series is scheduled to take place during the FIFA Matchday period in March and April. Eleven FIFA member associations have been entrusted with hosting 12 groups, comprising both men's and women's categories. The event is designed as an inter-confederation friendly match format, without adding to the international calendar.

The men's category has been designated as the host nation by Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, and Uzbekistan. The women's category will be hosted by Brazil, Ivory Coast, and Thailand. Each group will consist of four teams from different confederations.

Indonesia is in a group with Bulgaria from UEFA, the Solomon Islands from OFC, and Saint Kitts and Nevis from CONCACAF. As host, Indonesia is scheduled to host all group matches in Jakarta.

PSSI Chairperson Erick Thohir called FIFA's trust in Indonesia a rare opportunity that must be fully utilized. According to him, participation in the 2026 FIFA Series is crucial for testing the national team's readiness to face opponents with diverse playing styles.

"Facing teams from Europe, Oceania, and the Americas provides a variety of playing styles that are crucial for team development. The players will be trained mentally and technically. This is both a test and an opportunity to build a team ready to compete at the world level," said Erick Thohir in Jakarta on Monday, January 19, 2026, as quoted by Skor.id.

This tournament also marks the debut of the new Indonesian national team coach, John Herdman, who was officially introduced in January 2026. Herdman will lead Jay Idzes and his teammates against opponents from three different confederations in a short time.

In terms of FIFA rankings, Indonesia currently ranks 122nd in the world. Bulgaria is ranked 88th, the Solomon Islands is ranked 152nd, and Saint Kitts and Nevis is ranked 154th. This ranking difference is considered both a challenge and a benchmark for Garuda.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Series features 48 national teams divided into nine men's groups and three women's groups. The participants represent nearly a quarter of FIFA's 211 member associations. Rwanda is the only country to host both groups simultaneously.

Besides Indonesia, the other men's tournament hosts are Australia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, and Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, Brazil, Ivory Coast, and Thailand have been entrusted with hosting the women's tournament.

List of Participants and Groups for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Men's Category

Australia (AFC)

Australia (host)
Cameroon
China
Curacao

Azerbaijan (UEFA)

Azerbaijan (host)
Oman
Sierra Leone
Saint Lucia

Indonesia (AFC)

Bulgaria
Indonesia (host)
Solomon Islands
Saint Kitts and Nevis

Kazakhstan (UEFA)

Comoros
Kazakhstan (host)
Kuwait
Namibia

New Zealand (OFC)

Cabo Verde
Chile
Finland
New Zealand (host)

Puerto Rico (CONCACAF)

American Samoa
Guam
Puerto Rico (host)
US Virgin Islands

Rwanda (CAF) – Group A

Estonia
Grenada
Kenya
Rwanda (host)

Rwanda (CAF) – Group B

Aruba
Liechtenstein
Macau
Tanzania

Uzbekistan (AFC)

Gabon
Trinidad and Tobago
Uzbekistan (host)
Venezuela

Women's Category

Brazil (CONMEBOL)

Brazil (host)
Canada
North Korea
Zambia

Ivory Coast (CAF)

Ivory Coast (host)
Mauritania
Pakistan
Turks and Caicos Islands

Thailand (AFC)

DR Congo
Nepal
OFC Team
Thailand (host)

Read: Results of 2026 FIFA World Cup Group Draw: New Format, Debutant Teams

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