Nearly 90 years after his first and only appearance at the World Cup, Indonesia has only won two wins since returning to the tournament.
It marks a major change in property in more than three years since the death of 135 spectators. Kanjuruhan Stadium Disaster R in East Java as tear gas fired by security forces caused pressure to stop exits in domestic matches on October 1, 2022.
If Indonesia can beat Saudi Arabia and Iraq on October 8th and 11th respectively in the qualifying tournament, they will advance to the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
“It’s going to be a tough match, but until some time ago, no party predicts Indonesia will take two important matches to compete in the World Cup,” said FIFA president. Gianni Infantino I said it last week.
Two spots open to six teams
Infantino was following the expansion of the World Cup from 32 teams in 2022 to 48 teams next year. There are currently 8 automatic locations in Asia Japan, Korea, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan and Jordan were already eligible since the third round, which ended in June.
This will allow six other teams to take advantage of two more spots, splitting them into three two groups in the qualifying tournament. Each winner will go to the World Cup.
Indonesia is located in Group B for Saudi Arabia to host. At the time of the disaster, Southeast Asian countries ranked 155th in the world, then rose to 119. This was instrumental by winning Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China in the third round to move to fourth place. Recent programs that naturalize European-born players with Indonesian heritage have achieved better results.
Former Dutch International Patrick Kluivert The bench, which was appointed head coach in January, also has foreign flavors. All six teams are responsible for overseas tacticians.
Leonard leads Saudi Arabia
Helb Leonard took Saudi Arabia to the 2022 World Cup, beating Argentina. The French coach has returned in 2024 For the second spell. The results were less impressive as the team came third in the third round behind Japan and Australia.
The preparations for September were promising, with a draw against the Czech Republic and a 2-1 victory over North Macedonia.
“The spirit was amazing,” Leonard said. “We changed five players in each game, and the spirit was the same. The way we started, how we ended.”
The expected 60,000 fans at King Abdullah Sports City could help the team qualify for the seventh World Cup. “The atmosphere is incredible, especially when playing in Jeddah. I think the (overall) country is behind us,” Leonard said.
Iraq has yet to return to the World Cup since his only appearance in 1986 Graham Arnoldtook Australia to the knockout stage of the 2022 tournament in March.
Former Real Madrid mentor
In Group A, two former Real Madrid coaches will hold the tournament. Carlos Keiros took over Oman in July, two months after being appointed manager of Qatar, the host of the 2022 tournament, when Julen Lopetegi lost all three games.
“The outlook for playing in the World Cup is what accelerates us,” Lopetegui said. “Qatar never qualified through qualifiers. It’s a dream we are determined to fight. It’s within an emotional distance.”
The United Arab Emirates is the only group A team to compete in the World Cup and is eager to return after their 1990 debut.
“I think everyone understands the importance of that moment for the country and their careers,” Romanian boss Kosmin Olaroy said in September.
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