Indonesia's Middle East Friendlies in Doubt
Indonesia's plan to play two away friendlies in the Middle East during the November 2026 FIFA Matchday is under threat. The volatile security situation has pushed the PSSI (Football Association of Indonesia) to look for potential opponents from other regions.
The national team, nicknamed Garuda, were rumored to face Jordan and Kuwait as final preparations for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, which will be hosted by Saudi Arabia.
PSSI chairman Erick Thohir confirmed the federation is now seeking safety guarantees from the prospective opponents' federations. "We are contacting the countries we had already agreed with over the next one to two days to check their security situation," Thohir said. He added that if conditions prove unconducive, the PSSI will be forced to find sparring partners in other countries.
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated after several airports in Saudi Arabia were hit by missile and drone attacks from Yemen's Houthi group, leaving neighboring states on alert.
Australia and South Korea Also Hesitating
Thohir said Indonesia is not the only team reconsidering its Middle East plans. Countries such as Australia and South Korea, which have similar schedules, are also weighing the situation.
With only about a month to go before the November FIFA window, the PSSI faces a complex task in rearranging the friendly agenda.
Jordan, ranked 72nd in the FIFA rankings, has been mentioned as a potential opponent at Amman International Stadium on November 13, 2026. The match now hinges on the outcome of the PSSI's talks with the Jordanian federation.
Target: Breaking Into FIFA's Top 100
The November friendlies are central to Thohir's ambition of lifting Indonesia into FIFA's top 100. The Garuda squad currently sit 116th after winning the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup.
Thohir believes official FIFA friendlies against higher-ranked teams are key to collecting as many ranking points as possible ahead of bigger goals, including a future World Cup appearance.
John Herdman Still Wants Away Matches
Head coach John Herdman insists the fixtures must still be played away. The PSSI could in theory host the Middle Eastern opponents in Indonesia, but that idea was shelved because Herdman wants his players to experience the away-match atmosphere.
Playing in the Middle East, Thohir explained, is meant to let the squad feel the atmosphere, the weather, the logistics, and the fatigue of long travel — all of which must be tested before the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
Fans now await the outcome of the PSSI's communications in the coming days: will the Jordan trip proceed with security guarantees, or will Indonesia reroute its November friendlies elsewhere?
