PSSI Thanks FIFA After Indonesia's FIFA Series Debut

March 31, 2026 | 04:46 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PSSI chair Erick Thohir has thanked FIFA for entrusting Indonesia to host one of the FIFA Series tournaments, marking the first time in the country’s football history that it has staged the event.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Erick expressed his appreciation to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, President Prabowo Subianto, and the Indonesian government for their support in making the tournament possible.

“We hope that by hosting the FIFA Series, FIFA will continue to give us opportunities. If there are other FIFA tournaments in the future, hopefully we will be considered again. At the very least, we have done our best for FIFA,” Erick said after the FIFA Series final between Indonesia and Bulgaria at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday, March 30.

FIFA has praised Indonesia for the successful organization of the 2026 FIFA Series. FIFA Director for Asia and Oceania Sanjeevan Balasingam said Indonesia showed a high level of professionalism in staging the tournament, supported by strong government backing and the public’s strong enthusiasm for football.

FIFA has also opened the possibility for Indonesia to host future events, signaling confidence in the country’s ability to stage international football competitions.

Erick also highlighted the Indonesian national team’s performance, saying it still deserved appreciation despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to Bulgaria in the 2026 FIFA Series final on Monday.

He said the final showed that Indonesia was able to compete against a European team with strong experience and quality.

“We were facing a team that cannot be underestimated, one that reached the World Cup semifinals in 1994. Many of their players also compete in Europe. This is a great opportunity for us to improve the quality of the national team. And as all of the media have seen, coach John [Herdman] has so far succeeded in transforming the national team,” he said.

Erick added that the benefits of the FIFA Series would not stop with the men’s national team. He confirmed that Indonesia’s women’s national team will also have the chance to compete in a FIFA Series event in Thailand, allowing the national team development program to continue on a more sustainable basis.

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