Yogyakarta. The Indonesian national team begins its campaign in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers this week. PSIM Jogja coach Jean-Paul van Gastel has revealed his predictions.
The Indonesian national team is in Group B alongside Saudi Arabia and Iraq. The Garuda squad’s first match against Saudi Arabia is scheduled for Thursday (October 9) at 12:15 a.m. at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
The Indonesian national team itself boasts a strong squad of diaspora players, led by Dutch head coach Patrick Kluivert. However, Van Gastel admitted that it would be difficult for Indonesia to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
“This is a tough group, with Saudi Arabia and Iraq. They’re also playing in the Middle East, so it will be very tough (for Indonesia),” Van Gastel told reporters on Tuesday (October 7, 2025).
The coach, who once wore the Dutch national team uniform, also admitted that Patrick Kluivert’s path to leading Indonesia to qualify for the 2026 World Cup was also quite difficult.
“I don’t know if he (Patrick Kluivert) can prove it. It’s a tough road for Indonesia to qualify for the World Cup,” he said.
“Indonesia has never qualified before. So this is very difficult for the national team head coach,” explained Van Gastel.
Despite this, Van Gastel acknowledged Indonesia’s significant challenge against Middle Eastern teams. However, he stated that Jay Idzes and his teammates have a good chance of qualifying.
“They (Indonesia) need to finish in second place, at least. So this is a challenge, but there are opportunities,” Van Gastel concluded.
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