Jakarta. Indonesia has decided to submit a bid to host the 2028 FIFA Futsal World Cup after a successful run of recent international tournaments and rising performance from its national team.

The Indonesian Futsal Federation (FFI) confirmed the move after the country hosted the 2026 AFC Futsal Championship. Indonesia's Football Association PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir said he had already raised Indonesia’s interest directly with FIFA during the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, on April 30.

“Yes, it has already been conveyed directly. Now of course FIFA will make the decision,” Erick told reporters at the 2026 FFI Congress in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He added that he also discussed Indonesia’s potential bid with AFC General Secretary Datuk Windsor John during the same FIFA Congress.

“I met Datuk Windsor at AFC. I said Indonesia is good, can we bid for the World Cup? Could Indonesia be given the opportunity?” he said.

The move comes as Indonesian futsal posted a series of strong results in recent years, including winning the 2024 AFF Futsal Championship, securing a gold medal at the 2025 SEA Games, and finishing runner-up at the 2026 AFC Futsal Championship.

These achievements have helped Indonesia climb 10 places in the FIFA futsal rankings, with the national team now sitting 14th in the world.

FFI Chairman Michael Sianipar said the bidding process is still at a very early stage, even though initial communication with FIFA has been established.

“Erick also conveyed the hope that we can bid for the World Cup. Of course, this is our shared ambition. The closest Futsal World Cup is in 2028,” Michael said.

He added that the final decision rests with FIFA and that the process will take time.

“The process is still long because the decision is with FIFA. Since Pak Erick just returned from Vancouver, there is already communication, and we hope we can prepare well,” he said.

Michael said that Indonesia would face competition from other countries also interested in hosting the tournament. However, he said the bid reflects Indonesia’s growing ambition in international futsal.

“Even if not this edition, hopefully the next one. We have already hosted the AFC level, and next we hope to aim for the World Cup as well,” he said.

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