Indonesia National Team vs Kuwait: Important Test Ahead of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

The match between the Indonesia National Team and Kuwait will be held on  September 5, 2025, at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya. This match is on the FIFA Matchday agenda and is also part of the Garuda Championship Series 2025. Thousands of Garuda supporters are confirmed to fill the stadium, creating an energetic atmosphere ready to cheer on the players from the first minute.

This international friendly is not just a friendly match, but a golden opportunity to measure the strength of the Indonesia National Team before entering the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers for the Asian zone in October. The opponent, Kuwait, is currently ranked 138th in FIFA, while Indonesia is in 118th position. In terms of ranking, Garuda is superior, but the match is predicted to be tight given that Kuwait is known for its fast and physical play.

Who Will Play for the Indonesia National Team?

For coach Patrick Kluivert, the duel against Kuwait is not just about seeking victory, but also testing the consistency of tactics and the adaptation of players in various game schemes. This friendly is seen as a golden opportunity to sharpen the attacking line, tidy up defensive transitions, and build more solid chemistry between core players and backups. The full support of the Surabaya public will be an added asset for the Garuda squad, which is currently enjoying a trend of increasing performance and FIFA ranking.

Coach Patrick Kluivert brings his best squad to face Kuwait. In the backline, experienced figures like Jordi Amat are predicted to be the defensive commander. He will likely partner with the potential young defender Justin Hubner, while on the flanks, Asnawi Mangkualam remains the main choice thanks to his stamina and aggressiveness in helping the attack. The goalkeeper position will most likely be entrusted to Ernando Ari, who has performed consistently at both club and national team levels.

In the midfield, Marselino Ferdinan will be the engine of the attack. His creativity in regulating tempo and his courage in making penetrations could be the key to unlocking Kuwait’s defense. He will be accompanied by Ivar Jenner, a defensive midfielder known for his discipline in maintaining depth and closing down opponent’s spaces. This combination allows Kluivert to play variations between quick attacks and ball possession.

For the front line, Rafael Struick has a big chance to fill the striker position. This young Dutch-Indonesian striker is often relied on thanks to his mobility and speed that can break the concentration of opposing defenders. In the wing sector, Witan Sulaeman and Shayne Pattynama can be options to give width to the game, while Dimas Drajad or Egy Maulana Vikri can be used as alternatives if the team needs variations in attacking style.

Interestingly, Kluivert is also expected to give opportunities to several young players who are currently shining in the domestic league, such as Rizky Ridho or Pratama Arhan, to gain international match experience. In addition, naturalized players can be tried in certain minutes to measure their adaptation to the team’s playing system.

Strategy for Combining Senior & Young Players

With such a composition, the Indonesia National Team will display a harmonious blend of senior players’ experience, young players’ creativity, and fresh energy from new talents. This lineup is expected not only to secure a positive result against Kuwait but also to be a picture of Garuda’s strength ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The main strategy of the Indonesia National Team in this match is to maintain defensive organization while maximizing quick transitions forward. Kluivert wants to see how well the players can play tactical variations: from patient build-up in the backline, high pressing in the opponent’s area, to quick counter-attacking schemes. In addition, physical duels with Kuwaiti players are one of the special concerns. Indonesia is demanded to be disciplined so as not to easily lose the ball and to remain focused on set pieces.

The result of the match against Kuwait will directly impact the FIFA ranking and the confidence of the Garuda squad. A victory will boost the Indonesia National Team’s position, adding motivation ahead of matches against stronger opponents like Saudi Arabia and Iraq in the qualifiers. In addition, this match is an important means to unite chemistry, give flight time to young players, and test the effectiveness of Kluivert’s new strategy. For supporters, this match is also a moment to see firsthand the rapid development of Indonesian football at the international level.