The Indonesian national football team rose to 127th place after defeating Saudi Arabia in the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
The Garuda squad won with a score of 2-0 in the match held at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta (20/11/2024).
Playing in front of 70,000 supporters who filled SUGBK, the Garuda team tended to play defensively to capitalize on counterattacks. Coach Shin Tae Yong’s strategy successfully created 6 threatening shots on A. Al-Kassar’s goal, including a brace from Marselino.
Two goals scored by Indonesian wonderkid Marselino Ferdinand occurred in the 32nd and 57th minutes. There was no response from Saudi Arabia until the final whistle at the end of the match.
The victory allowed the Indonesian national team to close 2024 by securing the third position in Group C with 6 points. There is one point ahead of Australia, which is in second place.
The Garuda team’s ranking will move from its current position after winning against Saudi Arabia, namely 127th in FIFA with a total of 1,135.10 points. This is the best ranking in 13 years, specifically since 2011 when the national team was ranked 125th.
Southeast Asia FIFA Rankings
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Currently, the Indonesian national team ranks 130th in FIFA with a total of 1,119 points. The development of the Indonesian national team’s ranking in the past two years is also commendable. Since the beginning of 2023, the Garuda Team’s FIFA ranking has soared by 20 places.
The success of the Indonesian national team’s rise in rankings allowed them to surpass Malaysia, which was previously above Garuda in the rankings, after winning against Laos 3-1 on November 14, 2024.
Indonesia’s ranking is also getting closer to Vietnam, which is ranked 119th with 1,161.11 points. Meanwhile, Thailand still holds the 96th position in the FIFA rankings with 1,228.24 points.
Although ranked lower than Thailand and Vietnam, Garuda’s points tally is the highest among other Southeast Asian teams competing in the Third Round of World Cup Qualifiers.
The Indonesian national team is currently in third place with a collection of six points from six matches in Group C of the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone.
In terms of results, below Indonesia is Vietnam, which earned four points in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers. Meanwhile, Thailand only earned two points in the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers.
The Indonesian national team even has the opportunity to overtake Vietnam in the FIFA ranking at position 119. If they can secure three points against Bahrain and China, even if they lose to Australia and Japan.
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