Indonesian National Team Expelled From The 2025 U-17 World Cup, Nova Arianto Expresses Apology

Nova Arianto apologized for failing to take the U-17 Indonesian national team to the knockout phase of the 2025 U-17 World Cup (doc. Indonesian national team).

JAKARTA - The U-17 Indonesian national team coach, Nova Arianto, apologized after his team was confirmed to have been eliminated from the 2025 U-17 World Cup.

Certainty about the status of the U-17 Indonesian national team which failed to qualify for the last 32 of the 2025 U-17 World Cup is known on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, night WIB. The Garuda Nusantara squad ran aground after only taking 10th place in the best third-placed standings.

After three matches in Group H, Indonesia U-17 only won once against Honduras U-17 2-1. Meanwhile, in the other two matches, Garuda Muda lost 1-3 to Zambia U-17 and 0-4 to Brazil U-17.

It was the defeat that made Indonesia eliminated after losing the goal difference from teams such as Mexico, Tunisia, the Czech Republic, to Morocco.

Regarding the team's situation, Nova Arianto first gave thanks because he was trusted to bring the young team through so far.

"Thank God and still can't believe that he is at this point where he can guard this young player playing at the highest level of U-17 World Cup football," Nova Arianto said in an upload on Instagram quoted Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

Even so, Nova also apologized to the public for failing to meet public expectations of qualifying for the knockout stages of the 2025 U-17 World Cup.

"I want to apologize because our trip can only reach the group stage of the 2025 U-17 World Cup. Hopefully in the future all players can proceed well through this U-17 World Cup," said Nova.

Not to forget in the upload, Nova also thanked the management, staff, and players for their hard work so far.

"I also want to thank all the players who have been involved, managers, and officials of the U-17 Indonesian national team for all your hard work."

"Since this team was formed from the beginning of 2024 until now, there must be a lot of sacrifices made by both players and staff until we finally arrive at our final destination at the U-17 World Cup," Nova said.

Despite being eliminated, the U-17 Indonesian national team made history after winning their first victory in the U-17 World Cup by defeating Honduras.