Indonesia and Saudi Arabia meet in Jeddah on Wednesday for a crucial fixture that kicks off the fourth round of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match is the first of a short, decisive group stage that will see one nation book a direct ticket to the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The game will be held at the Alinma Bank Stadium at King Abdullah Sports City, with kick-off scheduled for 8:15pm local time (17:15 GMT).
Path to the Playoffs
Six teams remain in contention for the final automatic qualification spots from Asia. They have been split into two groups of three, with Saudi Arabia and Qatar co-hosting the fixtures. In this round-robin format, each team plays the others once. The winner of each group will qualify for the World Cup.
The two teams that finish second will face each other in a two-legged playoff in November. The winner of that tie will advance to the intercontinental playoffs, representing a final opportunity to reach the tournament.
Saudi Arabia entered this stage after finishing third in their third-round group. A 2-1 defeat to Australia in their final match denied them an automatic spot. Indonesia secured their place by finishing fourth in their respective group, thanks to a vital 1-0 victory over China in their penultimate game.
The last time the two sides met, Indonesia secured a 2-0 home win with both goals scored by Marselino Ferdinan. The reverse fixture in Saudi Arabia ended in a 1-1 draw.
Coaches Confident Ahead of Decisive Clash
Indonesia’s coach, Patrick Kluivert, has called on his players to remain focused and not be intimidated by the atmosphere in Jeddah. The team is bidding to reach the World Cup for the first time since the country gained independence in 1949.
“I’m not afraid because if you’re afraid, you show your weakness,” the former Netherlands striker said. “We know the power and the strength of Saudi Arabia, especially when they play at home, but we need to be focused. The mindset is the most important thing.”
Saudi coach Herve Renard expressed confidence that his squad has improved and is ready for the challenge. “We are more confident, I think we are stronger than before. But let’s play, because the reality is on the field,” he stated.
Team News
Indonesia will be without key players for the match. Goalkeeper Emil Audero is unavailable, as is striker Marselino Ferdinan, who was the hero in their last victory over the Saudis. Fellow forward Ole Romeny is also a doubt.
Saudi Arabia will be without Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti and Saad Al-Nasser due to injury, while goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi faces a fitness test for a hamstring problem. The attack will be led by Salem Al-Dawsari, who has scored 25 goals for his country.
