KBRN, Jakarta: The Indonesian national soccer team's preparations for the 2026 World Cup have reached a crucial moment in the fourth qualifying round. Two critical matches against Saudi Arabia and Iraq will determine the Garuda Team's progress to the world stage.

For Maarten Paes, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Indonesian national team goalkeeper says qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup would mean “everything” to the Garuda squad, especially with the next edition set to unfold partly in his current backyard: the United States.

Indonesia is gearing up for two decisive matches in the fourth round of Asian qualifiers, facing Saudi Arabia on Thursday, October 9, 00:15 Jakarta time, and Iraq on Sunday, October 12, 02:30 Jakarta time. Both games will be held at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and could determine the nation’s historic path to the global stage.

“It would mean everything. It would be a truly meaningful moment,” Paes said via FC Dallas’ official social media on Monday, October 6, 2025, as quoted by antaranews.com.

The 27-year-old, who plays for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer, added that the World Cup’s presence in the U.S., with nine matches scheduled in Dallas, adds personal significance to Indonesia’s campaign.

“With the World Cup hosted in the U.S., and games in Dallas, I’ll be pushing hard to make more international appearances with Indonesia,” he said. “But first, we take it one match at a time, Saudi Arabia, then Iraq. Hopefully, I’ll be celebrating on the plane ride home.”

Paes recently returned to action after recovering from an injury that sidelined him since August, forcing him to miss Indonesia’s FIFA Match Day fixtures against Taiwan and Lebanon in Surabaya last month.

His comeback came in Sunday’s MLS clash against LA Galaxy, where he featured in Dallas’ 2–1 victory, extending their unbeaten streak to eight matches and lifting them to eighth place in the Western Conference with 41 points.

That momentum, Paes noted, has fueled his drive to deliver for Indonesia.

“It’s been inspiring. A few weeks ago, we made a choice to become a team. Since then, we’ve fought for wins and results,” said the 1.92-meter-tall keeper. ***