President Prabowo Meets Football Officials to Discuss National Team's Future

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto convened with Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir and men's national football team coach John Herdman at Hambalang, Bogor, on Friday, June 19, 2026. The meeting focused on future sports development plans.

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It is important for the players to know that we have a leader who is behind us.

Coach Herdman conveyed his excitement about meeting President Prabowo, highlighting the significance of having leadership backing for the players. "It is important for the players to know that we have a leader who is behind us," Herdman stated upon arriving at the Gerindra Party chairman's residence. He also shared his aspirations for the Indonesian national team, expressing a hope to qualify for the 2030 World Cup.

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We hope to bring this team to the World Cup in 2030.

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi mentioned that Prabowo discussed sports initiatives with Erick and Herdman. "If we want to qualify for the World Cup, we must prepare ourselves much more thoroughly," Prasetyo told reporters. He added that Indonesia also needs to prepare for competitions such as the FIFA Series, emphasizing Erick's role as PSSI chairman in fostering a competitive football climate to produce a strong national team.

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If we want to qualify for the World Cup, we must prepare ourselves much more thoroughly.

Prasetyo also noted that President Prabowo was working from home at his Hambalang residence on Friday, adhering to the current work-from-home policy for civil servants. He humorously suggested that the "H" in "work from home" could stand for Hambalang, given the President's location.

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WFH, the 'H' can be replaced with Hambalang.