KBRN, Jakarta: The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) has formally protested to FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) over the appointment of referees for the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir raised concerns that the assigned officials are from Kuwait, a country in the same regional bloc as Indonesia’s upcoming opponents, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

“The Secretary General has already sent an official letter to FIFA, and I will also send one to the AFC regarding the referee appointments. It turns out the referees are from Kuwait, which is in the same regional area,” Erick said during a press conference at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 17, 2025, as quoted by antaranews.com.

Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq are grouped in Group B for the fourth round. Indonesia is scheduled to face Saudi Arabia on October 9 and Iraq on October 12, with both matches taking place at King Abdullah Sport City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Erick emphasized the need for more neutral referee selections, suggesting officials from countries such as Australia, Japan, China, or even Europe. He said PSSI is actively lobbying for changes to ensure impartial officiating.

With the matches approaching, Erick acknowledged the mounting pressure on the Indonesian squad and the importance of anticipating external factors that could disrupt their performance.

He cited previous incidents, including the cancellation of a friendly match against Kuwait in Surabaya and logistical issues during a recent away game, such as the absence of escorts and a delayed arrival at the stadium.

To mitigate such challenges, PSSI has dispatched an advance team to Jeddah to handle preparations, including independently selecting accommodations rather than relying on the host committee.

Erick also expressed concern over restrictions on Indonesian fan attendance in Saudi Arabia.

On a more positive note, Erick highlighted a recent rule change that benefits the team: all yellow cards from the third round have been cleared. This means players previously at risk of suspension due to accumulated bookings are now eligible to compete in the crucial fourth-round matches. ***