President Prabowo: 'Indonesia is worthy of participating in the 2030 World Cup'

Even though they just missed the 2026 World Cup, President Prabowo Subianto still aims higher, urging Indonesian football to get ready for the 2030 bid.

President Prabowo Subianto persists in his ambition to return the Indonesian national team to the world's largest football stage. The 74-year-old leader stated that the most populous nation in Southeast Asia has the ability to vie for a place in the 2030 FIFA World Cup, but that dream can only become reality if the whole football ecosystem engages in earnest preparation.

Prabowo's statement was reiterated by the President of the Indonesian Football Federation, Erick Thohir, during the PSSI congress on the evening of August 3, ahead of the game between Indonesia and Vietnam. The Indonesian President stressed that a great nation must have great ambitions, particularly in the sport that is of great interest to its citizens.

"Indonesia is a great country; it must have grand dreams and the determination to turn them into reality. I believe Indonesia is worthy of a place in the 2030 World Cup," President Prabowo announced.

This ambition came after Indonesia failed to achieve its objective of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Despite being the Southeast Asian team that progressed the farthest, making it to the fourth round of qualifying, the island nation still could not break its long absence from the world's premier football event.

That outcome left President Prabowo unsatisfied. During an event in Karawang in July, he instructed PSSI to devise a specific plan rather than merely making encouraging steps.

"How do we get into the World Cup? Don't underestimate this. To be honest, I still feel restless and unhappy that Indonesia hasn't yet earned a spot,"he stressed.

Earlier, following a meeting with Erick Thohir and head coach John Herdman at Hambalang on June 19, the Indonesian President pledged that the government would offer full support for the 2030 campaign. Resources may be channeled into infrastructure, youth development, domestic league quality, and national team preparation.

"All of PSSI's programs, particularly the plan for 2030, must be sustained and thoroughly prepared. I will do whatever I can to support football,"Prabowo asserted.

In the view of the Indonesian leader, football is more than just a game; it mirrors discipline, sacrifice, and solidarity. He maintained that the common good must outweigh personal interests if Indonesia is to achieve a historic breakthrough.

Indonesia previously played in the 1938 World Cup as the Dutch East Indies but has not returned to the tournament since independence. If they qualify for the 2030 edition, the island nation will end a 92-year drought.