Nova Arianto Makes History as First Coach to Qualify Indonesia U-17 for World Cup Through AFC Route

Nova Arianto has achieved a historic milestone with the Indonesia U-17 national team, successfully securing qualification to the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup finals, as reported by Bolasport.com.

The 44-year-old coach, and son of legendary Indonesian coach Sartono Anwar, is now recognized as the first person to lead Indonesia to a world-level football tournament via regular qualification — a feat never accomplished before in Indonesian football history.

This remarkable achievement stands in contrast to Indonesia’s two previous World Cup participations:

• 1979 FIFA U-20 World Cup (invited)
• 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup (host nation)

Nova’s success can be attributed to his strong football foundation — as a former Persebaya Surabaya player — and the strict discipline inherited from his father, known for his firm and tactical approach to coaching.

His leadership has not only elevated Garuda Asia to new heights but also reignited hopes for Indonesia’s presence on the global football stage through structured development and merit-based success.