Indonesian media highlight four main reasons why their team’s dream of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup was shattered.

A range of problems from tactics and fitness to offensive performance caused the Indonesian national team to officially exit the 2026 World Cup qualifiers after back-to-back defeats against Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Indonesian media explicitly pointed out the reasons behind their team’s defeat.

Indonesia’s historic first chance to appear at the World Cup finals officially ended after a 0-1 loss to Iraq in the second match of Group B, part of the fourth round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Despite entering with strong determination at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, coach Patrick Kluivert’s squad could not create an upset. Zidane Iqbal’s lone goal in the second half not only left Indonesia empty-handed but also dropped Kluivert’s team to the bottom of Group B, following a 2-3 loss to host Saudi Arabia in the opening match.