Joey Pelupessy Eager to Face Japan’s Strength in World Cup Qualifiers

Joey Pelupessy, a midfielder for Lommel SK and member of the Indonesian national team, has shared his enthusiasm about going up against Japan, one of the continent’s football powerhouses, in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

“Facing a team like Japan is a big challenge, but also a great opportunity,” said the 31-year-old.

Still fresh in Garuda colors

Despite being a relatively new addition to the Garuda squad, Pelupessy has already made an impression. The former Sheffield Wednesday player has earned two caps with the national team, appearing in recent matches against Bahrain and China.

This upcoming fixture against Japan will be his toughest yet — a true test of both skill and composure.

Japan’s dominance in Group C

Japan, led by coach Hajime Moriyasu, currently tops Group C with 20 points, four points ahead of Australia. With several players competing in Europe’s top-tier leagues, the Blue Samurai have already secured qualification for the next round with three games to spare.

Their consistency and international pedigree make them the group’s strongest team and a major hurdle for Indonesia.