NOBARTV NEWS – PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir hopes that Indonesia will qualify and become Southeast Asia's representative in the 2026 World Cup.
As is known, different from the previous edition, for the 2026 World Cup, FIFA is making slight changes regarding the number of contestants. In previous editions, the number of participants for the highest football event in the world was 32 teams. The 32 teams are filled with representatives from several zones or, let's say, continents. From Asia, on 2022 World Cup yesterday it was represented by the national teams of Japan, South Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Australia.
Meanwhile, for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, the number of contestants will increase by 16 teams to 48. The increase in the number of contestants will of course be accompanied by additional representation. Like Asia, of the five representatives, the 2026 World Cup will have 8,5 representatives. 8 teams are the teams that qualify directly – while one representative must go through the play-off stage to qualify for the final round. This means that there are 3,5 additional teams for the Asian region.
Thus, the opportunity for teams from Asia to qualify for the 2026 World Cup is certainly getting bigger. Likewise with Indonesian National team. Therefore, Erick Thohir as the leader of PSSI hopes that the increased quota for the number of contestants can be utilized as best as possible by the Indonesian National Team. This was conveyed by Erick when checking the Solo Manahan Stadium which will be used as a qualifying venue U-23 Asian Cup Last week.
"That's why before the press conference we checked the standards that I haven't checked here," said Erick Thohir on Sunday (4/6/2023) at Manahan Stadium, Solo.
“I think no league exists without the success of the national team. "We are seen by the world because of the national team, only the league," he added.
Erick then mentioned it World Cup Qualification 2026 which is planned to be held from October to November.
"In October-November we will prepare the 2026 World Cup Qualifications. Remember, this is the first time FIFA has increased World Cup participants to 48."
"Asia has a chance of 8,5, 8 to qualify automatically, 0,5 is from the playoffs, but Southeast Asia can't get through to 1," he said again.
"Even though ASEAN has Australia, it's okay, don't be afraid, people eat together, we are all human too," said Erick in conclusion.
Hopefully it can come true