Erick Thohir: PSSI Letters to 8 Countries for FIFA Matchday September 2023

The general chairman of PSSI, Erick Thohir, confirmed that the Indonesian national team will have a FIFA Matchday match in September 2023. Currently, PSSI is sending letters to eight countries to be invited to compete.

“So, I make sure that in September there will be, of course. We are sending letters to 4 to 8 countries,” said Erick in Jakarta, Friday (23/6/2023).

Erick emphasized that efforts will be made on the September 2023 FIFA Matchday so that the Indonesian national team can collect maximum points. So, in that period, Garuda’s squad will not face a team of Argentina’s level.

The Indonesian national team must also focus because it is currently preparing to undergo the 2026 World Cup Qualification starting in October and November 2023.

“But of course we are looking for points. For next year, I can’t talk today because I remember if October November wins, bismillah. Play again in March for the World Cup qualifiers. If March wins again, play again in June. If you win again, play again September, continue because of this qualification until the world championships in 2026. Want to do you play there? So you have to be careful,” said Erick Thohir.

The former President of Inter Milan said that fighting world-class teams would be scheduled once a year. Beyond that, the Indonesian national team will focus on finding points to increase the ranking.

President Joko Widodo (third left) accompanied by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo (third right), SOE Minister and General Chair of PSSI Erick Thohir (left) and wife Elizabeth Tjandra singing the national anthem Indonesia Raya while watching the FIFA Matchday match between Indonesia vs Argentina at the Main Stadium Gelora Bung Karno (SUGBK), Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, 19 June 2023.

The most likely time for the national team to try out a world-class team again is June 2024.

“So it is slots what can be seen next year is the safest, if there are countries that want to come, it can be in June before the Olympics. In March maybe, but we are still qualifying (2026 World Cup),” said Erick Thohir.

PSSI itself hopes to produce quality matches for the Indonesian national team, as well as matches that are looking for points.

Previously, the Indonesian national team had played the FIFA Matchday against Palestine and the 2022 World Cup champion Argentina. As a result, the Garuda squad drew 0-0 against Palestine, then lost 0-2 to Argentina.

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