FIFA Series 2026: Indonesia National Team to Face European, Caribbean, and Oceania Teams

FIFA has officially designated Indonesia as one of the eight host countries for the FIFA Series 2026. This appointment opens up the potential for the Indonesia National Team to face teams from other confederations, ranging from Europe, Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, to Oceania. Until now, the Indonesia National Team has mainly competed against opponents from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The FIFA Series provides an opportunity for national teams from different confederations to engage in organized friendly matches. The tournament will break tradition by pitting the Indonesia National Team against teams from Africa (CAF), Europe (UEFA), South America (CONMEBOL), North, Central, and the Caribbean (CONCACAF), as well as Oceania (OFC). President of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Erick Thohir, stated that Indonesia’s hosting appointment is a rare opportunity that must be maximized. This aims to test the courage and capabilities of the National Team against opponents with completely different playing styles. “This is a great opportunity that we must seize to continuously test and elevate the National Team’s level. By regularly facing opponents from outside Asia, players will become mentally and technically accustomed,” expressed Erick Thohir while attending the AFF Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, as reported on the PSSI website on Saturday, November 22, 2025. “This is a challenging path, as well as an opportunity to build a strong team ready to compete at the global level,” he continued. This opportunity provides invaluable experience for players and coaching staff to learn about various football philosophies and characteristics from around the world. From the physical strength of African teams, the tactical discipline of European teams, the creativity of South American teams, to the speed of teams from CONCACAF. In the FIFA Series 2026, Indonesia will host alongside seven other countries: Australia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, and Uzbekistan. This also positions Indonesia on the global football map as a country trusted to organize official FIFA events. For comparison, in the inaugural edition of the FIFA Series 2024, FIFA selected five countries as hosts: Algeria, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka. The format was proven successful. For example, Algeria (CAF) hosted Bolivia (CONMEBOL), Andorra (UEFA), and fellow African nations, South Africa (CAF). A similar pattern was implemented in all host countries, ensuring the presence of high-quality intercontinental matches.