RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is stepping up efforts to accelerate the development of women’s football by partnering with France in a multi-level program that combines grassroots participation, elite training, and sports governance reform.

Indonesia and France are strengthening their strategic partnership in sports through the Next Goal program to support the development of women’s football in the country.

Framed as part of a broader push to strengthen the foundations of the women’s game, the program is co-funded by the French Embassy in Indonesia, the Federation Francaise de Football (FFF), and the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), with a focus on women’s empowerment, gender equality, and sustainable football development.

“We welcome this collaboration through the Next Goal program as a concrete step to accelerate the growth of women’s football in Indonesia," PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir said on Monday, April 6, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

"PSSI believes that football progress is not only measured by national team achievements, but also by how much we provide equal opportunities for the younger generation, including women, to grow and excel together,” he added.

He assured that cooperation with the French Football Federation and the French Embassy is a momentum to learn from a country with a strong football tradition, while also strengthening the foundation of player development, coaching, and football governance in Indonesia.

"We hope this will produce new talents that will accelerate the sustainable progress of women’s football in Indonesia,” he said.

The Next Goal program is a development of the Bola d’Or Indonesia initiative launched in 2024, which focuses on identifying and nurturing young talent through scholarships and elite training.

In its implementation, the program will reach more than 500 participants directly, covering three main areas: player development, coach education, and sports management and law.

A total of 400 girls aged 7-12 will take part in a Grassroots Festival in Indonesia, while 19 members of the national U-17 women’s team are scheduled to undergo training camps with French coaches.

In coaching, around 60 coaches will receive training in Indonesia, while five selected coaches will join an immersive program in France focused on modern methodology and inclusive pedagogy.

In addition, 25 female participants will join a sports management program in Jakarta covering leadership, governance, and the development of women’s football competitions.

As part of the initiative, training clinics and sports management workshops will be held on April 11-12, 2026, in Bandung, West Java, involving instructors from French football academies and several national players.

Selected participants will also attend training at the FFF national training center in Clairefontaine, France, on May 3-9, 2026, including visits to the FFF and FIFA headquarters in Paris.

The program is also aimed at paving the way for a memorandum of understanding between the FFF and Garuda Academy as part of a broader roadmap for bilateral sports cooperation. ***