Indonesia Aims for World Cup Dreams Amid Tight Qualifying Race

JAKARTA, Indonesia — As the penultimate round of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, Indonesia sits in a precarious but hopeful position in Group C. With two matchdays left, the underdogs are determined to keep their dreams alive despite being in fourth place.

Indonesia is just four points behind the second-place team in the group, with a crucial match against China looming on Thursday at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. Winning this match is imperative, especially after earlier setbacks in qualifying, including a surprising defeat to China in October.

Following impressive draws against Saudi Arabia and Australia, Indonesia has shown resilience. Coach’s team has proved they can compete, but now they face the challenge of needing victories to secure advancement.

A win against China could propel Indonesia forward, especially with their final match against Japan next Tuesday, which may be equally tough.

Japan has already qualified and will likely field less experienced players, giving Indonesia a potential edge. Still, coach must prepare his players thoroughly to ensure they avoid any setbacks.

If Indonesia secures wins in their upcoming matches, they could finish with 15 points, potentially besting Australia, who currently has 13 points. However, the goal difference favors Australia, making it a challenging scenario.

Even if Indonesia does not finish in the top two, crucial wins could still secure them a place in the next round of the Asian qualifying tournament. This tournament’s structure could allow Indonesia to continue their World Cup quest, leading to intercontinental playoffs.

Defeating China is vital for Indonesia’s ambitions. With all eyes on this pivotal match, players are preparing to step up and deliver a performance deserving of their World Cup dreams.