September 24, 2025 | 05:43 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The date for the Indonesian national team's face off with Saudi Arabia for the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers draws closer. The Garuda squad is set to face the hosting Saudi at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on October 9, and later Iraq on October 12.
To compete in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19 next year, Indonesia must emerge as the champion of Group B. If they finish in second place, there is still a chance through the inter-confederation playoff in March next year.
The manager of the Indonesian national team, Sumardji, revealed the preparation plans that Patrick Kluivert's team will undergo to face these two crucial matches. The players who are currently playing for their respective clubs, both domestically and internationally, are scheduled to gather directly in Saudi Arabia.
"On October 1, we will all gather in Saudi Arabia," he said via messaging application on Tuesday night, September 23, 2025.
To support the Indonesian national team, the seventh week matches of the domestic Super League, which should have been held in early October, have been postponed until late December. With this delay, the called up national team players can focus on representing the Garuda team.
Sumardji disclosed that the officials' team will depart from Jakarta to Saudi Arabia on Monday, September 29.
For the coaching staff still in Europe, Sumardji said they will depart on the same day. However, the head coach of the Indonesian national team, Patrick Kluivert, will depart from the Netherlands the following day. "Patrick will depart on September 30. So by October 1, everyone will be in Jeddah," said Sumardji.
Here is the full list of Garuda players, based on those called up for September FIFA Matchday games and their respective clubs:
Players defending domestic clubs are defenders Rizky Ridho and Jordi Amat (Persija Jakarta); two defenders and wingers, Yance Sayuri and Yakob Sayuri (Malut United); two midfielders and one winger, Stefano Lilipaly, Ricky Kambuaya, and Egy Maulana Vikri (Bali United); three midfielders, Marc Klok, Beckham Putra, and Eliano Reijnders (Persib Bandung); and goalkeeper Nadeo Argawinata (Borneo FC).
Europe-based Garuda players are goalkeeper Emil Audero (Cremonese); center-back Jay Idzes (Venezia FC); center-back Justin Hubner (Fortuna Sittard); center-back Elkan Baggott (Ipswich Town); right-back Kevin Diks (Borussia Monchengladbach); left-back Calvin Verdonk (KAS Eupen); midfielder Thom Haye (Almere City); midfielder Joey Pelupessy (Heerenveen); midfielder Ivar Jenner (FC Utrecht); and forward Miliano Jonathans (Jong FC Utrecht).
Meanwhile, players based in Asian clubs include midfielder Dean James (Excelsior); forward Ole Romeny (Oxford United); forward Ragnar Oratmangoen (FCV Dender EH); midfielder Marselino Ferdinan (AS Trencin); right-back and left-back Sandy Walsh and Shayne Pattynama (Buriram United); and forward Rafael Struick (Brisbane Roar).
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