Indonesia Hopes to Field Star Players at 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia has the chance to field its best players at the upcoming FIFA ASEAN Cup, according to Erick Thohir, chair of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI). Hosted in Indonesia, the tournament's status as an official FIFA event gives national players the opportunity to strengthen the Garuda team.

"All the best players will definitely be able to play. And we certainly hope they can achieve maximum performance," said Erick Thohir after a cross-agency coordination meeting on the FIFA ASEAN Cup in Jakarta on Monday, August 10, 2026.

Erick said the composition of the Indonesian national team will be adjusted per the conditions and dynamics leading up to the tournament.

He hoped for the optimal physical condition of the players, but said injury possibilities must be taken into account. He called for anticipatory measures to be prepared in case any players are unable to join the team. "But as the host, we are hoping for the national team to perform well. This is certainly what we hope for," said Erick, who also serves as Minister of Youth and Sports, as quoted by Antara.

The 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup is scheduled to take place from September 23 to October 3. Indonesia will host the Premier Division, while the Challenge Division will be held in Hong Kong.

The Premier Division will feature eight teams divided into two groups. Group A will feature Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and Singapore. Group B will feature Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Meanwhile, the Challenge Division will feature Hong Kong, Myanmar, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, and Timor Leste. These six teams will also be divided into two groups.

The 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup differs from traditional tournaments, as winners for the group stage will advance directly to the finals. With this format, every match in the group stage is crucial. A poor result from the opening match could significantly reduce a team's chances of winning the group and qualifying for the final.

Bandung and Jakarta Prepare Stadiums

In addition to the Indonesian National Team's preparations, the regional government is also preparing several facilities to support the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup. Bandung and Jakarta will be the two cities hosting Premier Division matches.

"We are ready to serve as hosts in synergy with our colleagues from Jakarta," said West Java Provincial Secretary Herman Suryatman to the media following an inter-agency coordination meeting regarding FIFA ASEAN events with Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir in Jakarta on Monday, August 10.

The West Java government is also preparing several training grounds for the competing teams, including at ITB Stadium, Arcamanik Stadium, and Sidolig Stadium. Two backup venues—Unpad Stadium and the IPDN Jatinangor field—have also been readied.

Herman stated that the local government is ready to ensure the event's success, drawing on its previous experience hosting the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. "Insha Allah, we are fully committed to the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup," he said.

In line with this, the Head of the Jakarta Youth and Sports Agency, Andri Yansyah, also confirmed readiness to host the event, with the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK) serving as the primary venue. Jakarta, he said, has extensive and unquestionable experience in hosting international events.

Andri stated that the government would properly prepare several training grounds for FIFA ASEAN participants, such as Banteng Field, Soemantri Brodjonegoro Field, and Fields 1 and 2 at Jakarta International Stadium (JIS).

In addition to the conduct of the matches, he said, support in other areas is also being prepared, including promotion and mobilization. "We are also ready to provide transportation services using our own vehicles to take players and officials to tourist attractions," he said.

The 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup will serve as the opportunity for Indonesia host and compete for the championship title. With the possibility of fielding the best squad, Erick Thohir hopes the Indonesian national team can capitalize on its host status to achieve maximum results.

Read: Bandung, Jakarta Ready to Host 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup

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