FIFA Support Expands Football Development Across Indonesia

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - FIFA Forward support is driving Indonesia’s football growth beyond elite competition, channeling investments into national training centers, schools, grassroots communities, and women’s programs.

Chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Erick Thohir said FIFA Forward support could strengthen the foundation of Indonesian football.

"For PSSI, the partnership with FIFA is about building a strong and sustainable foundation for the future of Indonesian football," Erick said in an official release on Friday, September 4, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

"We are grateful for FIFA's trust, support, and continued presence in accompanying the development of Indonesian football," he added.

The FIFA Forward program covers the development of a National Training Center, FIFA Arena pitches, Football for Schools, and women's football initiatives, expanding the foundation for player development.

Since Indonesia hosted the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup, the first FIFA tournament held in Indonesia, the partnership has expanded to cover infrastructure, talent development, governance, coach education, women's football, as well as access to football for children and communities.

Over the past three years, the partnership has contributed to a number of achievements, including the development of PSSI's first National Training Center in the new capital city of Nusantara.

The 34.52-hectare facility received USD 5.4 million, or around IDR 95 billion, in support from the FIFA Forward Special Project, in addition to investment from the Indonesian Government.

For its efforts to develop grassroots activities and support young talent and technical programs at the training center, PSSI received the FIFA Forward Gold Award for the project at the FIFA Executive Football Summit in Miami in June 2025.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Indonesian football had experienced significant growth across various areas. He said FIFA was honored to be a partner supporting the efforts of PSSI, the government, clubs, players, coaches, and the entire Indonesian football community.

"This progress is the result of collective work, and FIFA's role is to help open more opportunities so that Indonesia's football potential can develop sustainably," Infantino said.

The expansion has also reached schools and local communities. Two FIFA Arena mini pitches were opened near schools in Jakarta in May 2025 and have served around 1,450 students.

Football for Schools has been implemented across all 38 provinces, including remote areas, to help children become familiar with football and develop their abilities.

In June 2026, FIFA and PSSI signed a Host Country Agreement to establish a FIFA hub in Jakarta, covering 21 member associations in Southeast Asia and East Asia.

Progress has also been seen in women's football. With support from the FIFA Women's Football Development Programmes, PSSI launched its Women's Football Strategy in 2024.

PSSI was selected as one of only three FIFA member associations for the FIFA-GIZ Women Empowerment in Sports Programme. The FIFA Coach Education Scholarship has also helped increase the number of licensed female coaches. ***