Indonesia’s Journey in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: A Historic Campaign
The Indonesia national football team has been making waves in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, showcasing resilience, determination, and a hunger for success. Starting from the first round, Indonesia has battled its way through tough opponents and now stands in the third round, with hopes of securing a historic spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Let’s take a closer look at Indonesia’s journey so far, analyzing key matches, standout performances, and their chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
First Round: Dominating Brunei with a 12-0 Aggregate Victory
Indonesia kicked off its World Cup qualifiers campaign in spectacular fashion, facing Brunei in the first round. With a dominant 6-0 victory at home on October 12, 2023, followed by an identical 6-0 win away on October 17, 2023, Indonesia advanced to the second round with a massive 12-0 aggregate.
Key Highlights:
- Indonesia vs Brunei (6-0) – A commanding home victory set the tone for the qualifiers.
- Brunei vs Indonesia (0-6) – A clinical away performance ensured progression.
With this confidence-boosting start, Indonesia entered the second round, facing much tougher opposition.
Second Round: Rising to the Challenge
Drawn into a competitive group alongside Iraq, the Philippines, and Vietnam, Indonesia knew it had to fight for every point. The team had mixed results but delivered key victories to secure a place in the next stage.
Tough Start Against Iraq
- 16-11-2023: Iraq vs Indonesia (5-1)
Indonesia struggled against a strong Iraq side, conceding five goals in their opening match. Despite the loss, the team remained focused on bouncing back.
Crucial Points Against the Philippines
- 21-11-2023: Philippines vs Indonesia (1-1)
A hard-fought draw away from home kept Indonesia in the race for qualification.
Turning Point Against Vietnam
- 21-03-2024: Indonesia vs Vietnam (1-0)
- 26-03-2024: Vietnam vs Indonesia (0-3)
These back-to-back victories over Vietnam were a turning point for Indonesia, securing crucial points in the race for a top-two finish.
Securing Qualification with a Final Victory
- 11-06-2024: Indonesia vs Philippines (2-0)
With a confident 2-0 win over the Philippines, Indonesia sealed second place in the group and advanced to the third round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
Second Round Final Standings:
Iraq – 1st place
Indonesia – 2nd place (Qualified for Round 3!)
Indonesia’s dream was still alive, and they were now just a step away from making history.
Third Round: Battling for a World Cup Spot
Now in the third round, Indonesia faces some of Asia’s strongest teams, including Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and China. Despite being considered underdogs, Indonesia has continued to impress, holding its ground against top opponents.
Key Matches So Far:
- 05-09-2024: Saudi Arabia vs Indonesia (1-1) – A crucial away draw against a strong Saudi Arabian team.
- 10-09-2024: Indonesia vs Australia (0-0) – A hard-fought defensive battle to secure a point against Australia.
- 10-10-2024: Bahrain vs Indonesia (2-2) – Another solid draw, keeping Indonesia in the race.
- 15-10-2024: China vs Indonesia (2-2) – A resilient performance against China away from home.
- 15-11-2024: Indonesia vs Japan (0-4) – A tough defeat against group favorites Japan.
- 19-11-2024: Indonesia vs Saudi Arabia (2-0) – A historic victory over Saudi Arabia, keeping Indonesia’s qualification hopes alive!
Can Indonesia Qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026?
With several matches remaining, Indonesia currently sits in 3rd place in Group C, keeping their World Cup dreams within reach. If they continue to secure points against tough opponents, qualification is a real possibility.
What’s Next?
Indonesia will need strong performances in the upcoming matches against Australia, China, Bahrain, and Japan to maintain their position. The road is challenging, but the Indonesia national football team has already proven that they can compete at the highest level.
