World Cup Qualification: Indonesia's Bid Ends in Defeat

Kluivert's Indonesia falls short in World Cup Qualifiers

Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia team falls short in their World Cup bid. Indonesia's World Cup hopes come to an end after a 1-0 loss to Iraq in the qualifiers. Read more about their campaign.

“I'm very proud of the players, who showed their heart, their courage but unfortunately the result again...”

Indonesia's World Cup bid came to a heartbreaking end with a 1-0 loss to Iraq in Jeddah. Zidane Iqbal's 76th-minute goal sealed the win for Iraq, dealing a crushing blow to Indonesia's qualification hopes.

“We're proud of the players, but they're devastated,” coach Patrick Kluivert said, acknowledging the emotional toll of the defeat. The loss marked Indonesia's second consecutive defeat, following a 3-2 loss to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, officially ending their World Cup aspirations.

“I think if you look at the game, we were by far the better team,” said Kluivert. “I'm very disappointed about the result and not only me but the whole country, the players, the staff.

“We worked hard, playing against Saudi and then three days later, it was a great recovery to play another tough game. We performed fantastic.

“I'm very proud of the players, who showed their heart, their courage but unfortunately the result again was not on our side while creating chances and playing very good football. With one action you lose the game. We are devastated.”

Indonesia aimed to make history by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since gaining independence in 1949. The team's advancement to the fourth round of Asian qualifiers marked a significant milestone, showcasing the country's growing football prowess.

Despite their progress, Indonesia's inability to score in open play hindered their chances. The team, comprising many players from the Dutch diaspora, relied heavily on individual brilliance. Kevin Diks' two penalty goals in the loss to Saudi Arabia highlighted the team's struggles in creating scoring opportunities from open play.

“We worked hard as a team, medical staff, local staff, players, everyone really worked hard for this,” said Kluivert. “All the results that we had, good and bad results, I think we grew as a team, individually and collectively.

“The World Cup dream slips away through your hands. The disappointment, of not only me but the whole country of Indonesia, is really tough. It's really tough.”

Crestfallen coach Patrick Kluivert expressed pride and disappointment after Indonesia's 1-0 loss to Iraq ended their World Cup campaign. Despite creating scoring chances and playing well, Indonesia couldn't find the net, with Zidane Iqbal's 76th-minute goal proving decisive.

“We worked hard, playing against Saudi and then three days later, it was a great recovery to play another tough game,” Kluivert said. “I'm very proud of the players, who showed their heart, their courage but unfortunately the result again was not on our side.” The loss marks a significant setback for Indonesian football, but Kluivert praised his team's effort, saying, “The way they played was fantastic.”

Indonesia's World Cup hopes were ambitious, aiming to qualify for the first time since 1949. Although their campaign has ended, Kluivert believes his team grew individually and collectively throughout the qualifiers. The coach emphasized the need for continued development and investment in Indonesian football to achieve future success.

“They're not too young,” he said. “The way they played was fantastic, that they can play like this against Saudi, against Iraq, who are 58th and 59th in the world ranking and we are 118.

“As a head coach, I'm very proud of them, if you can show your heart like this. Unfortunately the goals are not coming when you create the chances and you play good football.”

💔🇮🇩 INDONESIA ELIMINATED FROM 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS ⚽

But while this journey closes, a new chapter begins for Indonesian football. 🙌
The nation can be proud of its incredible progress and fighting spirit over the past two years. ❤️🔥#Indonesia #Garuda pic.twitter.com/3PdVPHlrwa

— ASEAN FOOTBALL (@theaseanball) October 12, 2025

Kluivert downplayed the idea that his team's inexperience was the primary reason for their struggles against more seasoned opponents. Despite facing tough adversaries, Kluivert believed his team's talent and potential were evident, but ultimately fell short in crucial moments.

“They're not too young,” he said. “The way they played was fantastic, that they can play like this against Saudi, against Iraq, who are 58th and 59th in the world ranking and we are 118.

“As a head coach, I'm very proud of them, if you can show your heart like this. Unfortunately the goals are not coming when you create the chances and you play good football.”