REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Chairman of the All Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) Erick Thohir expressed his apologies to all elements of the Indonesian community because the Indonesian national team has not been able to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after losing 0-1 to Iraq.

“We apologize for the dream (Indonesia) of entering the 2026 World Cup we have not been able to realize,” Erick Thohir wrote in his monitored social media account in Jakarta, Sunday (12/10/2025).

The Indonesian national team is certain to fail to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after losing to Iraq with a final score of 0-1 in the round four match of the 2026 World Cup qualification at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Sunday early in the morning.

Indonesia has resisted fiercely. But the sheer goal Iraqi puppeteer Zidane scored buried Garuda's squad's dream of stepping up to the World Cup.

The defeat was the second after coach Patrick Kluivert's squad suffered a 2-3 defeat in the previous match against Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Iraq's victory opened up their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finals by finishing second in the provisional Group B standings with three points from one game.

Erick Thohir thanked the supporters, players and officials who have fought to take Indonesia the extra mile to the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

“It was the first time in Indonesia's history that it could go this far,” Erick wrote.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika