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Patrick Kluivert’s Indonesia faces a tough draw in the final round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, competing against Saudi Arabia and Iraq in Group B.
FIFA World Cup trophy. (X)
Patrick Kluivert’s Indonesia faced a challenging draw on Thursday for the final round of Asian qualifying as they aim to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 1938.
Under the guidance of former Barcelona star and Dutch football legend Kluivert, Indonesia will compete against hosts Saudi Arabia and Iraq in Group B of the fourth round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Group A, hosted by Qatar, will see the home team face off against the United Arab Emirates and Oman, following the six-team draw at the Asian Football Confederation’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
Matches in both groups will be conducted in a single round-robin format in October in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The two group winners will join the six Asian nations already qualified for next year’s global event in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
The runners-up of each group will meet in November, with the victor over two legs progressing to an intercontinental playoff for a spot in the 48-team World Cup.
Indonesia has launched a recruitment campaign of Dutch-born players and backroom staff to boost their quest for a World Cup finals berth since becoming an independent nation.
In February, Jordi Cruyff, son of Dutch football icon Johan, was appointed as a technical adviser to the Football Association of Indonesia to work alongside Kluivert.
Indonesia last qualified for a World Cup while still under Dutch colonial rule, suffering a 6-0 defeat to Hungary in their sole match of that tournament, held in France.
They face a formidable challenge against Middle Eastern powerhouse Saudi Arabia, who will have the home advantage and are strong favourites to top Group B.
Saudi Arabia has qualified for the World Cup seven times, including the last two editions.
Iraq has only qualified once, in 1986.
Qatar, having hosted the last World Cup in 2022 during their sole appearance in the finals, is favoured to top Group A at home.
The United Arab Emirates reached the World Cup once, in 1990, while Oman has never qualified.
Australia, Japan, Jordan, Iran, South Korea, and Uzbekistan have already secured their World Cup places from the Asian confederation.
With AFP Inputs
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- Location :
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- First Published:
