RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s U-23 national football team will not feature at the Asian Games 2026 after failing to advance through the qualification process set by organizers and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir confirmed the absence, stressing that the decision was based on regulations already approved by the Asian Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC), the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), and the AFC.

“Indonesia will not compete in football at the Asian Games 2026. The rules have been set by the organizers and AFC,” Erick told reporters in Jakarta on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The Asian Games, scheduled for September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, will feature multiple sports, including men’s football. However, only 16 teams will participate, limited to those that qualified for the final round of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026.

Indonesia’s U-23 squad fell short in the qualifiers, ruling them out of contention.

Indonesia’s Olympic Committee had previously lodged a protest against the policy, arguing that the unusual qualification format disadvantaged the Garuda squad. Despite the objection, AINAGOC upheld its decision, closing the door on Indonesia’s participation.

Football has been a regular fixture for Indonesia at the Asian Games, with the U-23 team appearing 11 times. Their best achievement remains a third-place finish in the 1958 edition.

Erick emphasized that Indonesia respects the regulations, even though the ruling means the team will miss Asia’s largest multi-sport event this year. ***