Indonesia Eyes FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 Glory as Host Nation

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is set to approach the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 with high ambitions, aiming to deliver maximum results as host nation. The tournament also presents an opportunity for the Garuda squad to improve their FIFA ranking and move past the disappointment of the AFF Cup.

Football analyst Estu Santoso emphasized the significance of the FIFA ASEAN Cup for Indonesia’s football development. He noted that a deep run in the competition could substantially boost Indonesia’s standing in the FIFA rankings.

“If we go far, our points will increase quite significantly in the FIFA rankings,” Estu said on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, adding that Indonesia remains behind Thailand and Vietnam in the Southeast Asian football landscape.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup marks a historic milestone as the first regional tournament initiated directly by FIFA. A similar concept was previously applied through the FIFA Arab Cup to strengthen competition among Arab nations.

“This is a new chapter for regional tournaments created by FIFA,” Estu remarked, believing the ASEAN Cup could reignite football rivalries across Southeast Asia.

Scheduled from September 24 to October 4, 2026, the tournament is part of FIFA’s official calendar, allowing participating nations to field their strongest squads.

Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Chairman Erick Thohir confirmed that Indonesia can call up players based abroad, opening the door for talents such as Jay Idzes, Calvin Verdonk, and Justin Hubner.

“Because it’s on the FIFA calendar, we can bring in the best team we have,” Erick said, expressing hope that the presence of top players will help Indonesia achieve optimal results in the competition’s debut edition.

Indonesia has been drawn into Group A of the Premier Division alongside Malaysia, Singapore, and India (pending confirmation). Group B features Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Matches in the Premier Division will be staged at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta and Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, West Java, giving Indonesia the chance to test its strength against regional rivals on home soil.

Estu cautioned that hosting the tournament does not guarantee Indonesia the title, citing the team’s defeat to Vietnam in Bogor, West Java, during the AFF Cup as a reminder.

“Being the host doesn’t mean it’s easy to win, but we can become champions,” he said, urging Indonesia to remain realistic and use the tournament as a springboard for revival.

He also called on PSSI to conduct a thorough evaluation of Indonesia’s AFF Cup failure, involving the federation, league operators, national team management, coaches, and players.

“If we failed at the AFF Cup, it wasn’t just one or two players--it was a collective failure,” Estu stressed, urging all elements of Indonesian football to work together to address shortcomings before the tournament begins.

From an organizational standpoint, Estu highlighted the importance of ensuring stadium readiness, training facilities, ticket distribution, and participant services well in advance, underscoring the need for professional management to deliver a successful event. (Diffa Sephiawardhani)