Target Of The Indonesian National Team: Tembus 10 Besar Asia, Top 50 Dunia

JAKARTA - PSSI General Chairperson (Ketum), Erick Thohir, revealed the future targets of the Indonesian national team. This was revealed based on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Erick Thohir said that the targets made were linked to GDP considering the support of existing human resources and the craze of Indonesians for football.

The 2026 World Cup is targeted to be the initial target of the milestone for the revival of the Red-White squad. The Indonesian national team is expected to be one of the Asian representatives who competed in the world football party.

At the World Cup which will last less than two years, Asia gets 8.5. Eight countries will qualify, while one country will be pitted in the intercontinental playoffs.

From this scheme, Erick Thohir targets the Indonesian national team to be in the zone of the intercontinental playoffs. In addition, he hopes that if he is able to penetrate the target, Indonesia should be able to be in the top 10 Asian zone countries.

"Indonesia should be in the top nine of Asia, with our population and passion for football from all Indonesians. However, of course it will take time," Erick said in an interview at Reuters quoted Tuesday, December 24, 2024.

Meanwhile, in the long-term target, Erick hopes that the Indonesian national team can be in the top 50 in 2045 in line with GDP which is expected to soar higher than it is currently.

"We want to be in 50 in the world by 2045 because at that time our GDP per capita will be around 27-30 thousand US dollars (or around Rp437.7-486.4 million)."

"This (Indonesia) is a big country. So, at that time the quality of football will increase," he said.

Currently, Indonesia's GDP per capita is around $ 5,000 or Rp. 81 million and the Garuda Squad is now ranked 127th in the world.

Erick has confidence that the economy and Indonesian football will go a better way in tandem.

"Many people say we are a falling giant and that's why we have to make a program to be better," he said.

"Government support is very important, the private sector is very important, as well as a federation," said Erick Thohir.