RRI.CO.ID, Medan - Indonesia will face a tough challenge as host of the AFF U19 Championship 2026, after being drawn into Group A alongside Vietnam, Timor-Leste, and Myanmar. The draw took place in Medan, North Sumatra, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Indonesia now prepares to defend its title against strong regional rivals. Group B features Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam, while Group C includes Australia, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

The tournament, officially named the ASEAN U19 Boy’s Bank Sumut Championship 2026, will run from June 1 to June 14 with participation from 11 nations. Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Chairman Erick Thohir expressed confidence in Indonesia’s chances.

“As the national team, we should not lose before even playing,” he said, as quoted by Antara, adding that full trust has been placed in head coach Nova Arianto and his squad.

Nova confirmed that the team will travel to Medan on May 28 after completing a training camp in Surabaya, East Java, starting May 10. He revealed that the squad will include top local talents as well as at least seven diaspora players, among them Mathew Baker, a defender from the U17 national team.

Acknowledging the challenge ahead, Nova pointed out that Vietnam remains a formidable opponent. “Vietnam has players with strong character, tough physicality, and resilience. We must be cautious of that,” he explained.

Despite the difficulty of the group, Nova emphasized that Indonesia is determined to prepare thoroughly in order to defend its crown. The Garuda youth team enters the competition as defending champions, having won the 2024 AFF U19 title by defeating Thailand 1-0 in the final.

“We are the reigning champions, and I aim to achieve the same result. But I don’t want to burden the players too much,” Nova concluded. ***