Indonesia Considers North Sumatra to Host AFF Youth Championships 2026

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - North Sumatra is emerging as a strong candidate to host the AFF U‑17 and U‑19 Championships this year, according to Arya Mahendra Sinulingga, a member of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Central Executive Body.

“Indonesia is the host nation for both tournaments in 2026, and we see North Sumatra as having real potential to stage them,” Arya said on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The AFF U‑17 Championship is scheduled for April 11–23, while the AFF U‑19 Championship will run from June 1–14. However, PSSI has yet to finalize the venue for the ASEAN Boys’ Championship 2026.

Arya pointed to several factors supporting North Sumatra’s bid. The province successfully staged the Independence Cup 2025, which featured Indonesia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Mali at the North Sumatra Main Stadium last August. 

“That event showed North Sumatra's capability in hosting international competition,” he noted.

Geography also plays a role. North Sumatra’s proximity to Southeast Asian countries makes it a practical destination for teams and fans. “This could strengthen North Sumatra's profile as a sport tourism hub, attracting supporters from Thailand, Singapore, and beyond,” Arya said.

To qualify as host, the province must have at least two international‑standard stadiums. The North Sumatra Main Stadium in Deli Serdang is already available, while Teladan Stadium in Medan is still under construction. 

“We’ve heard it is close to completion. If it’s ready before the tournament, North Sumatra's of hosting are very strong,” Arya explained.

He added that the completion of Teladan Stadium would be decisive. “We hope both stadiums will be ready. If Teladan is finished in time, North Sumatra has a real opportunity to host the AFF U‑17 and U‑19 Championships,” Arya said. ***