Erick Thohir: PSSI Committed To Presenting National Team Matches Throughout Indonesia

PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir (Photo: Antara)

PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir is committed to presenting national team matches throughout Indonesia, including considering bringing the U-17 and U-20 national teams to compete in Papua and Kalimantan.

"The national team is not only playing in Jakarta. We must dare to bring the national team to all corners of Indonesia," Erick said when met by reporters after the FIFA Match Day match against Taiwan at the Surabaya GBT Stadium, quoting Antara.

He also gave an example of the success of the Indonesian U-17 national team match in North Sumatra in the 2025 Independence Cup competition, August 12-18, which in total was able to bring more than 50 thousand spectators.

Erick considered the public interest as proof that the matches of the Indonesian national team, including in the age group, were welcomed in all regions.

"So, in the future it is not impossible that we will bring the U-17 and U-20 Indonesian national teams to Kalimantan and Papua," said the man who also serves as Minister of SOEs.

Erick also mentioned the FIFA Match Day friendly matches held in Surabaya, 5 and 9 September 2025, as well as the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup Qualification in Sidoarjo, 3-9 September 2025, which he claimed was able to attract the enthusiasm of supporters.

PSSI, he continued, thanked the East Java Provincial Government for the matches in its territory so far running smoothly.

Previously, the head of the Indonesian national team's scout, Simon Tahumata, had criticized PSSI's decision to play Indonesian national team matches outside Jakarta.

Simon said that Jakarta, especially the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), should be the headquarters of the Indonesian national team.

According to him, if you compete in SUGBK, the national team match is always filled with spectators, in contrast to matches in other areas which according to him are not sold out.

Simon also said that the atmosphere of the people in Jakarta towards players was amazing, so he hoped the national team would not play elsewhere.