President Prabowo Meets Zidane, Pledges to Advance Indonesian Football

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto used his debut appearance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, not only to introduce his economic vision, but also to spotlight his ambition to elevate Indonesian football.

Following his keynote on “Prabowonomics", President Prabowo met French football legend Zinedine Zidane on Thursday, January 22, 2026, where the two discussed the future of the sport in Indonesia. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said, the meeting lasted about 45 minutes.

“During the discussion, President Prabowo expressed his strong commitment to advancing Indonesian football and strengthening the national team,” Minister Teddy stated on the Secretariat Cabinet’s official Instagram account, as quoted by Antara.

President Prabowo outlined plans to ensure that every new school in Indonesia is equipped with a football field. These facilities, he said, would serve not only students but also children from surrounding communities, providing wider access to training and play.

He also sought Zidane’s insights on how Indonesia could improve its football development programs. “The President asked for advice and perspectives from Zidane, the maestro himself, on nurturing the growth of national football,” Teddy added.

The meeting came on the heels of President Prabowo’s presentation of “Prabowonomics” at WEF 2026. His economic framework emphasizes inclusive growth rooted in social welfare, with key pillars including free nutritious meals for students, industrial downstreaming, and firm law enforcement to secure investment certainty.

In his keynote, President Prabowo underscored the principle that “there can be no prosperity without peace,” while highlighting the role of the Danantara Investment Management Agency as a driver of Indonesia’s economic transformation.

President Prabowo’s presence in Davos, marking the first time in a decade that an Indonesian leader has attended the forum, positioned the country as a strategic global partner committed to independent yet collaborative economic growth. ***