Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Prabowo Subianto has set a firm ambition for Indonesian football, declaring that the Garuda squad deserves a place on the world stage at the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
In a statement read by Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Chairman Erick Thohir during the opening of the 2026 PSSI Ordinary Congress in Jakarta on Monday, the President called on all sectors of society to unite behind a long-term strategy for the national team.
“Indonesia is a great nation. A great nation must have high ideals and the courage to achieve them. I believe Indonesia deserves to compete in the 2030 World Cup,” Prabowo said in the statement.
Indonesia’s national team previously fell just short of securing a berth for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being eliminated in the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers held in Saudi Arabia last October, following losses to the host nation and Iraq.
Acknowledging that reaching the global tournament requires extensive preparation, President Prabowo instructed Erick to prepare a comprehensive blueprint for the 2030 campaign, which will coincide with the centennial edition of the FIFA World Cup.
The President emphasized that securing a spot in 2030 will require a coordinated nationwide effort extending far beyond sports authorities.
“This grand vision cannot be realized by the government or PSSI alone. Clubs, academies, coaches, players, supporters, local governments, the business sector, media and the entire community must work together with the same spirit,” the President stated.
Prabowo added that a successful campaign would not only secure World Cup qualification but also elevate Indonesia’s broader international standing through discipline, unity and shared execution.
Indonesia’s qualification journey for the 2030 World Cup is scheduled to begin next year with the opening rounds of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualification rounds.
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Translator: Zaro Ezza Syachniar, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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