731 Days of Perseverance: Indonesia’s Historic Journey in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
Indonesia’s national football team embarked on a challenging two-year campaign in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, beginning on October 12, 2023. Over 731 days, the Garuda squad played 20 matches, achieving eight victories and creating memorable moments that showcased the team’s resilience and growing potential on the Asian stage. Despite the long journey, the campaign concluded with a narrow 0-1 defeat to Iraq, ending Indonesia’s hopes of reaching the World Cup.
Throughout the qualifiers, Indonesia demonstrated notable progress. The team opened with a dominant 6-0 win over Brunei and gradually built momentum despite early setbacks, including losses to Iraq and a draw with the Philippines. A pivotal victory against Vietnam boosted confidence, helping Indonesia secure second place in Group F of Round 2, guaranteeing a spot in both the 2027 Asian Cup and Round 3 of the World Cup qualifiers—a stage never before reached by the team.
In Round 3, Indonesia distinguished itself from other Southeast Asian nations by competing strongly against traditionally stronger teams. Earning 12 points and recording wins against China, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, the Garuda squad set a new benchmark for the region. Although the team finished fourth in its group and fell short of direct World Cup qualification, it advanced to Round 4, marking another historic achievement for Southeast Asian football.
Round 4 highlighted the immense challenge of reaching the World Cup, with Indonesia facing powerful opponents like Saudi Arabia and Iraq. While the campaign ended without a World Cup berth, the team’s determination and accomplishments left a lasting legacy. Indonesia not only became the only ASEAN nation to advance this far in the qualifiers but also secured a place in the 2027 Asian Cup, signaling a promising foundation for the future of national football.
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