Indonesian newspaper fears home team will be eliminated from World Cup 2026

(Dan Tri) - The Indonesian team is in Group B of the 4th qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia, along with very strong teams Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Indonesian media is worried that the home team will be eliminated.

After the draw for the 4th round of the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers, Indonesia's Suara newspaper wrote: "The Indonesian team will once again face two giants of Asian football, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. These two teams have many differences, but they are both very respectable."

“These are real challenges for the team of coach Patrick Kluivert (Netherlands). Iraq is a team with a lot of physical strength, with the Australian style of coach Graham Arnold (former coach of the Australian national team). Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia plays very pragmatically and is very difficult to beat,” Suara added.

Indonesia (white shirt) will meet Saudi Arabia again in the 4th qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia (Photo: CNN Indonesia).

According to the regulations of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia. The top team in the 4th qualifying round will win a ticket to the final round (VCK) of the world championship.

The third-placed team in the fourth qualifying round will be eliminated, while the second-placed team in the fourth qualifying round will compete in the fifth qualifying round of the Asian region. Indonesia's task is to win one of the top two positions in Group B of the fourth qualifying round.

Suara newspaper advised the home team: “The Indonesian team needs to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the two opponents Iraq and Saudi Arabia. This is a very important job for the team of the archipelago country.”

Results of the draw for the 4th qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia (Photo: ASEAN Football).

“For example, Iraq under coach Graham Arnold plays with great enthusiasm. Graham Arnold once led the Australian team to the 2022 World Cup. The Iraqi team now plays with discipline and determination in the Australian style, in addition to the traditional physical strength of Iraqi football,” the Suara newspaper wrote.

Meanwhile, CNN Indonesia analyzed the match schedule of the team under coach Patrick Kluivert: "Indonesia will face Saudi Arabia on October 8. Then, on October 11, the team from the archipelago country will meet Iraq."

“Each team will only play two matches in the 4th round of the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers. All matches in Group B will be held in Saudi Arabia. The Indonesian team must remember that only the top two teams in each group will have a chance to qualify for the World Cup.

The top team in the fourth qualifying round will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup. The runner-up in the fourth qualifying round will advance to the fifth qualifying round, securing a spot in the intercontinental play-off round. The bottom teams in the fourth qualifying round will be eliminated from the World Cup,” CNN Indonesia reminded the home team.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/bao-indonesia-lo-ngai-doi-nha-bi-loai-khoi-world-cup-2026-20250717234605540.htm