Shin Tae-yong Gets A New Nickname From FIFA, The History Maker

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong, received appreciation from the World Football Federation (FIFA) for his success in bringing the Garuda Squad forward to the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification.

As a result, Shin Tae-yong now has a new nickname. FIFA has now nicknamed the South Korean coach The History Maker, aka the History Maker.

This was given by FIFA because since coaching the Indonesian national team at the end of 2019, Shin Tae-yong has brought many changes to a better direction.

Not only in terms of play, Shin Tae-yong's touch also gave birth to quality young players in the team who were considered to make the future of the Garuda Squad bright.

Although throughout his tenure Shin has not contributed a trophy, he has made a number of achievements.

One of them is increasing the ranking of FIFA Indonesia. Initially, the Garuda Squad was in its 175th position in September 2021, now ranked 133rd in July 2024.

"The History Maker aka the Maker of History. This is the nickname that Shin Tae-yong got after four years as coach of the Indonesian national team," wrote FIFA on its official website quoted on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

"The visit did not come without reason given the presence of the South Korean tactician has had a significant impact on the development of football in Southeast Asia," the statement continued.

So far, Shin Tae-yong's biggest history with the Indonesian national team has brought Marselino Ferdinand and colleagues to qualify for the Third Round of the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualifiers.

Previously, the Indonesian national team never made it that far. Amazingly, the Garuda Squad is the only Southeast Asian country that has qualified for the Third Round of the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualifiers.

Rivals such as Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand, all fell in the Second Round.

"Indonesia's success in qualifying for the Third Round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian Zone is something that has never happened before," wrote FIFA again.

The Indonesian national team will start their journey in the Third Round of 2026 World Cup Qualification by visiting Saudi Arabia on September 6, 2024.

Four days later, Shin Tae-yong's troops will play home games to host Australia at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium.