Clualvert Ambition Brings Indonesia To Qualify For The 2026 World Cup And Admits Shin Tae-yong's Work

JAKARTA - Patrick Kluivert has just been inaugurated by PSSI as coach of the Indonesian national team on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, replacing Shin Tae-yong.

Shortly after officially becoming the captain of the Garuda Squad, De Telegraaf immediately conducted a special interview with Kluiver.

In the interview, the 48-year-old coach revealed his ambition to bring the Indonesian national team through to the 2026 World Cup finals.

Kluivert does admit that this target will not be easy to achieve because it is in a difficult group. However, he emphasized that the opportunity to realize the dream is still within the reach of the Garuda Squad.

"We want to qualify for the World Cup (2026). It's not easy to be in a group with Japan, Australia, China, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. However, the remaining four games, we hold the fate in our hands."

"We are in third place in the standings and have to finish in the top two to get direct tickets. Numbers three and four also still have opportunities," Kluivert told De Telegraaf.

The Indonesian national team is currently in third place in Group C standings for the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification with a collection of six points.

The number of points owned by the Indonesian national team is the same as that of the three teams under it, namely Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and China. While the top two positions are occupied by Japan (16 points) and Australia (7 points).

Kluivert admits that its duties in the 2026 World Cup Qualification are easier because the work of Shin Tae-yong has brought the Indonesian national team to third place in the standings.

He also did not forget to thank the South Korean coach who had fought hard with the Garuda Squad so that the chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup was still open.

This opportunity is one of the attractions for Kluivers to accept proposals from PSSI.

"Thank you to my predecessor, Shin Tae-yong, we have a chance to take part in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada," Kluivert said again.

Kluivert will lead the Indonesian national team for the remaining four 2026 World Cup Qualification matches.

In March 2025, the Garuda Squad will meet Australia in an away match and then host Bahrain.

After that, in June 2025, the Indonesian national team will duel against China in the home match and play the last match when they travel to Japanese headquarters.