The tenure of Patrick Kluivert as head coach of the Indonesian national football team is currently under intense scrutiny. This pressure mounts significantly following the team’s elimination from the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Numerous Indonesian media outlets have extensively published reports, amplifying the pressure on Kluivert and vociferously demanding the Dutch national’s immediate resignation from his coaching position.
Indonesia’s aspiration to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1938 came to an end after a crucial 1-0 defeat to Iraq on October 11. This loss left the team at the bottom of their group without a single point, a tally that includes an earlier 3-2 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening Group B fixture. Under the Asian qualification format, the top two teams from both Group A and Group B would directly secure their spots in the 2026 World Cup, scheduled to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Teams finishing in second place, however, would still have an opportunity to compete in intercontinental playoffs for a potential half-slot. Despite significant investments made by Indonesia in recruiting talented naturalized players and engaging high-level international coaches, their World Cup dream has regrettably dissipated.
Following the disappointing loss to Iraq, Indonesian media, particularly outlets like Suara, directly attributed the embarrassing failure to Coach Kluivert. Critics have accused the 49-year-old Dutchman of employing ineffective tactics, particularly highlighting his perceived inability to devise strategies that could penetrate Iraq’s robust defensive setup. Furthermore, there are widespread complaints that the team played overly defensively and failed to exert sufficient pressure on their opponents. This public discontent has ignited a strong reaction from Indonesian citizens and football fans, many of whom have taken to social media platforms to heavily criticize the former Barcelona player and demand his immediate resignation.
The criticism extends beyond the coaching staff, with fans also directing their frustration towards Erick Thohir, the President of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI). Thohir faces accusations of incompetence, with calls for his resignation echoing those made against Kluivert. This backlash is partly fueled by the controversial dismissal of Shin Tae Yong, a highly regarded former coach who had previously led the team to a strong resurgence in early 2025.
In light of the mounting pressure, various other media outlets have urged PSSI to consider recruiting a different world-class coach to replace Kluivert. Alternatively, some suggest that the former Netherlands national team striker could potentially redeem himself and regain fan trust by delivering positive results in the upcoming 2027 Asian Cup.
The intense scrutiny from fans has not been limited to the coach, players, or the PSSI president. Chinese referee Ma Ning also became a target of fan anger and, in some instances, abusive language, following his officiating during the crucial match against Iraq. This resentment is not new; Indonesia has previously advocated for European or Australian referees for their international matches, expressing a preference over officials from Central Asia or China, particularly after being grouped with the Chinese national team in the third round of qualifiers.
Indonesia embarked on a new chapter in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualification journey, which commenced in 2023. Throughout this campaign, they have faced formidable regional opponents including Japan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iran, and Australia. In the qualification matches played to date, Indonesia has recorded 8 victories, 4 draws, and 4 defeats. This journey marks a significant historical effort for the nation in its quest for World Cup participation.
