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| FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2026: Indonesia Rejects Bahrain's Request for Neutral Venue. (Doc. Goal) |
PEWARTA.CO.ID - The Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo, firmly stated that there is no valid reason for Indonesia and Bahrain to play their second match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers outside Indonesia. He emphasized that Indonesia is fully prepared to host the match as planned.
Speaking in Jakarta on Friday, Ariotedjo responded to a request from the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), seeking to have the match played at a neutral location due to alleged security concerns. However, the minister was quick to reject the proposal, asserting that Indonesia has all the necessary measures in place to guarantee safety for the game.
Ariotedjo shared that he had discussed the matter with Erick Thohir, chairperson of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), who also confirmed that the security situation in Indonesia is stable and that the match can proceed without any issues. Thohir ensured that all security protocols would be strictly followed, demonstrating Indonesia's capability to host international events.
“Indonesia has a proven track record of hosting significant football matches, including the FIFA U-17 World Cup last year,” said Ariotedjo.
He went on to warn that if Bahrain insists on not playing the match in Indonesia, the team could forfeit the game, resulting in an automatic win for Indonesia.
The two teams previously faced off on October 10, 2024, in the third match of the Asian zone qualifiers held in Riffa, Bahrain, where the Garuda Squad managed to secure a 2-2 draw. Under the home-and-away system, Indonesia is scheduled to host Bahrain on March 25, 2025.
However, the October 10 match sparked controversy among Indonesian fans due to a questionable decision made by Omani referee Ahmed Al Kahf. Indonesia was leading 2-1 when the referee added six minutes of injury time, but the match extended until the 99th minute, for reasons that remain unclear. In the final moments of the match, Bahrain scored a dramatic equalizer, ending the game in a draw.
This controversial ending led to an uproar among Indonesian fans, who flooded social media platforms with protests directed at referee Al Kahf, the BFA, and the AFC. Many supporters voiced their frustration, accusing the timekeeping decision of being unfair and detrimental to Team Indonesia’s performance.
Despite the drama, Ariotedjo remains resolute in ensuring that the upcoming match will take place on Indonesian soil.
“We have no reason to move the match. Our country is more than capable of hosting it,” he concluded.
