The results of the draw for the 4th stage of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia put the Indonesian team in the "group of death".

The only representative of Southeast Asian football in Group B with Iraq and host Saudi Arabia - 2 groups, playing a round-robin at a fixed location; Group B takes place in Qatar; the top team will qualify for the 2026 World Cup; the two second-placed teams will face each other in Round 5 (2 rounds) to compete for an international play-off spot.

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Coach Kluivert has many worries when falling into the "group of death". Photo: Kompas

Indonesia just won 4 points in 2 matches with Saudi Arabia in the 3rd stage. However, the upcoming battle will be very different.

Meanwhile, Iraq have gone eight consecutive matches winning against Indonesia, since losing in their first meeting in 1973.

Most recently, Iraq's two victories over Indonesia in the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers (2-0 and 5-1), in between was a 3-1 win in the 2023 Asian Cup finals.

Not only is it the "group of death", Indonesia also lost its most important striker under Patrick Kluivert, Ole Romeny.

The Oxford United player has suffered a broken foot and is unlikely to be fit for the matches in Saudi Arabia, which take place in the second week of October.

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Romeny covers his face after being seriously injured. Photo: Kompas

Ole Romeny has scored 3 goals in 4 matches for Indonesia since completing his naturalization – accounting for 1/3 of the total goals of “Garuda” in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

After the draw, Kluivert admitted that it would be difficult for Romeny to return to fight with the Indonesian team.

Even after recovering from injury, he still needs time to regain his best ball feeling.

“Yes, it was really difficult because Ole had a fracture in the middle of his foot,” Kluivert told Indonesian media on July 17.

The Dutch coach said: “It will be difficult for Ole to recover in time to participate in round 4. This is definitely a big loss for the Indonesian team, everyone knows that.

However, Indonesia must continue to move forward. We have other players in the forward position who are all ready to play now.”

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Romeny is not only a goalscorer but also an important player in terms of playing style. Photo: Kompas

Romeny was injured while playing for Oxford United in the match against Arema FC on July 8.

According to Indonesian media, the 25-year-old striker was injured after a dangerous tackle by Paulinho Moccelin. He left the field on a stretcher, before being diagnosed with a broken foot.

On July 17, coinciding with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) stage 4 draw, Romeny also underwent surgery. He is waiting for a miracle to be able to return to the field as soon as possible, continuing his World Cup dream with Indonesia.

If Romeny cannot go to Saudi Arabia, Kluivert will only have Rafael Struick - a Dutch striker who has scored 1 goal in 26 matches.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/indonesia-gap-hoa-lon-nguy-co-vo-mong-world-cup-2026-2423163.html