**Indonesia Aims to Preserve FIFA Ranking Gains Ahead of ASEAN Cup 2026**
*Jakarta, September 2026* – Football analyst Akmal Marhali said the upcoming FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, scheduled for late September to early October in Jakarta and Bandung, presents a crucial opportunity for Indonesia to maintain the recent rise in its FIFA world ranking.
Indonesia will compete in Group A of the tournament alongside Malaysia, Singapore and Bangladesh, the latter replacing India after the latter withdrew from the competition.
According to the latest FIFA rankings, Indonesia is positioned at 118th globally, an improvement of 31 places from the 149th spot recorded when Erick Thohir assumed the chairmanship of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) in April 2023. Marhali described the climb as “a reflection of consistent performance and the quality of matches we have played. Moving from 149 to 118 is progress, but there is still a substantial task ahead, with the next target being entry into the top 100.”
Marhali attributed the ranking advancement to the contributions of three head coaches who have led the national team during Thohir’s tenure:
* **Shin Tae‑yong** – Oversaw the team from April 2023 to January 2025, raising the ranking from 149 to 127.
* **Patrick Kluivert** – Managed the side from January to October 2025, improving the position from 127 to 122.
* **John Herdman** – Took charge in January 2026 and has already moved the ranking from 122 to 118.
He cautioned that the improvement should be viewed proportionally, noting that FIFA’s ranking system adds or subtracts points based on match results, with each international fixture—especially those against higher‑ranked opponents—having a significant impact. Marhali suggested that the upward trend should inform the planning of a more competitive match calendar and a consistent development strategy for the national team.
The ASEAN Cup will be a test of Indonesia’s ability to sustain its momentum and further its ambitions on the international stage.
*Report by Zaro Ezza Syachniar; edited by Jafar M Sidik.*
Article and image source: antaranews.com
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