The Indonesian national team's high hopes of making history by appearing at the 2026 World Cup have finally been dashed. Two consecutive defeats in the fourth round of the Asian qualifying round have put their dreams on hold. Not only did they fail to qualify for the world's biggest football tournament, but this result also directly impacted Indonesia's FIFA ranking, which is predicted to plummet further.
This article will discuss the Indonesian National Team's progress in qualifying, its impact on the FIFA rankings, and what it means for the future of national football.
Journey in the 2026 World Cup Qualification
The Indonesian national team actually performed quite promisingly at the start of qualifying, reaching the fourth round, a rare achievement. However, this time around, they faced a much tougher opponent. Against Saudi Arabia, Indonesia took an early lead through Kevin Diks, but ultimately lost 3-2 after the hosts turned the game around.
Meanwhile, in the match against Iraq, the match was tightly contested until Zidane Iqbal's lone goal from outside the penalty area secured a 1-0 victory for Iraq. These two consecutive defeats left Indonesia bottom of Group B and automatically eliminated from the 2026 World Cup.
Impact on FIFA Rankings
Before the matches against Saudi Arabia and Iraq, Indonesia was ranked 119th in the world with a total of 1,157.94 points. However, these two defeats significantly reduced Indonesia's points tally.
The latest predictions say:
- Indonesia will drop 4 ranks , approaching 125th position in the world .
- Indonesia's position is also threatened with being overtaken by Malaysia , which performed better in the qualifying match.
- Hopes of breaking into the world's top 100 are fading away after this defeat.
In other words, failing to qualify for the World Cup is not only about achievements on the field, but also impacts Indonesia's image and position in the international football arena.
Why is FIFA Ranking Important?
For some, the FIFA rankings may be just numbers, but they actually have a significant impact. They determine Indonesia's position in the draw for international tournaments, so the lower the ranking, the greater the chance of facing strong opponents early on.
Furthermore, rankings also serve as a global benchmark for a team's strength, and a drop in rankings could impact Indonesia's international reputation. Equally important, a good ranking can boost the confidence of players and fans, while a drop in rankings can potentially dampen morale.
Factors Causing Failure
There are several factors that make Indonesia fail to go further:
- Quality of the opponent
Saudi Arabia and Iraq are teams with long experience at Asian and world level. Facing them is clearly not an easy matter. - Squad depth
Despite the improvement in player quality, particularly with the arrival of players of European descent, Indonesia's squad depth is still lacking compared to major Asian teams. - Strategy and adaptation
Coach Patrick Kluivert has come under scrutiny for his ineffective strategy in crucial matches. - Competitive mentality
The immense pressure of away matches makes it difficult for Indonesian players to maintain consistency in their game.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
This failure is certainly painful, but it can also be a valuable lesson for Indonesian football. There are several key lessons to be learned, from maintaining consistent performance, not only in the early matches but also in crucial phases, to the importance of developing young players to ensure smooth regeneration and prevent the team from relying on a handful of players.
Furthermore, domestic competitions need to be more competitive to produce players of international quality. Equally important, the national team management must have a well-thought-out long-term plan, including coaching selection and development programs, to ensure Indonesia's achievements are more sustainable.
Hope for the Future
Despite failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the Indonesian national team's progress continues to show positive progress. Reaching the fourth qualifying round is a commendable achievement.
Going forward, the focus can be directed to:
- Asian Cup : A chance to prove that Indonesia can compete at the Asian level.
- SEA Games and AFF Cup : Even though they are regional level, these tournaments are important for maintaining a winning mentality.
- Long-term target : Early preparation for the 2030 World Cup qualifiers.
Conclusion
The Indonesian national team's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup is certainly disappointing. But even more devastating is its impact on the FIFA rankings , which are predicted to drop to 125th in the world.
Despite this, this journey still offers important lessons. Indonesian football still has great potential, provided there is consistency, good coaching, and a long-term strategy. Rankings may drop, but the spirit to rise must not be extinguished.
