PSSI Protests To FIFA And AFC About Referee From Kuwait

The Indonesian national team will face the 2026 World Cup Qualification with various twists and turns (VOI/Karisa Aurelia Tukan).

PSSI protested to FIFA and AFC regarding the appointment of referees from Kuwait. This is related to the Indonesian national team match in the Fourth Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification.

The Indonesian national team will undergo two important matches in the Fourth Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification in the Asian Zone. In Group B, Patrick Kluivert's team will face Saudi Arabia (October 8, 2025) and Iraq (October 11, 2025).

For this match, FIFA and AFC have appointed the referee who will lead the match. The General Chairperson (Ketum) of PSSI said that the referee from Kuwait who will serve as the judge is the referee from Kuwait.

Seeing the origin of the judge's country, PSSI also protested to FIFA and AFC because it reflected on previous experiences and considered the origin of the referee not neutral.

"The Secretary General (PSSI) yesterday sent an official letter to FIFA, I will also send an official letter to the AFC regarding the appointment of the current referee, which turns out to be the referee from the same region, from Kuwait," said Erick Thohir in a statement in Jakarta quoted Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

Two matches for the Indonesian national team will take place at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah. Saudi Arabia was selected to host Group B in the Fourth Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification in the Asian zone.

Erick Thohir said PSSI asked the referee who served in the two matches of the Indonesian national team to come from a neutral country. He proposed referees from different regions.

"We're trying to lobby, if possible, referees are a more neutral place like Australia, Japan, China, or even Europe. Yes, we'll see."

"Indeed, the pressure is interesting. Apparently with our football rising, there are also parties who anticipate excessive. In fact, football is created for a healthy competition, but in reality things like this happen," said Erick.

Meanwhile, FIFA has not included the names of the referees who will serve in the Indonesian national team match against Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Furthermore, Erick claims that there are a handful of parties who want to take advantage of the situation in order to reap profits. Some examples are presented, namely the match schedule to limit the number of supporters.

"The pressure continues to be high. One, previously the host was neutral, now the host (Saudi Arabia) has determined."

"Secondly, yesterday the match schedule for the Indonesian national team (previously) was placed at 6 pm (local time), then we sent a letter, basically the protest and thank God it was approved. Now the schedule is 08.15 (local time)."

"Suporters are also limited in small quantities. Things like this that we anticipate because they can harm us, one of which is the referee," said Erick.