FIFA and AFC’s Latest Response to the Bahrain Controversy and Referee Ahmed Al Kaf

KOMPAS.com – FIFA and the Asian Football Association (AFC) reportedly responded to the Indonesia vs Bahrain match in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

The Indonesia vs Bahrain national team match on October 10 at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta ended in a 2-2 draw. However, the match sparked controversy because referee Ahmed Al Kaf on duty was deemed to be in favor of Bahrain.

Due to this controversy, the Indonesian team protested to the AFC. Meanwhile, Indonesian netizens expressed their dissatisfaction with the referee’s decision via social media.

The Indonesian people’s unfavorable response then made the Bahrainis worried about being terrorized. Bahrain also asked FIFA to move the location of the match outside Indonesia.

Most recently, FIFA and AFC responded to the controversy over the Indonesia vs Bahrain match.

Also read: Indonesia vs Bahrain referee controversy, reported by PSSI to FIFA

FIFA does not accept moving match locations

PSSI Secretary General Yunus Nusi said that FIFA would not respond to the Bahrain Football Federation (BFA) letter regarding the request to move the location of the match between Bahrain and Indonesia.

BFA previously submitted a letter to the AFC and FIFA regarding security against the Indonesian national team. BFA requested that the match against the Indonesian team be held abroad.

Yunus revealed that FIFA will definitely ask the Bahrain national team to play Indonesia in Jakarta in the eighth match of Group C of the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifications in the Asian zone.

The Indonesia vs Bahrain match is scheduled to take place at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta on March 25 2025.

“I’m sure FIFA will not consider the letter from Bahrain. “If that is the case, they will definitely communicate with us regarding the feasibility of holding the match,” Yunus explained, as reported Kompas.comFriday (25/10/2024).

Yunus also emphasized that FIFA and PSSI have a very good relationship.

The reason is, Indonesia has successfully held various international tournaments under the auspices of FIFA, including the 2023 U-17 World Cup which took place safely.

Apart from that, the Argentine national team also played a trial match against the Indonesian national team in Jakarta in June 2023.

According to Yunus, FIFA will definitely contact PSSI to ask about Indonesia’s ability to carry out a match.

“FIFA usually comes to Indonesia to communicate with us and the government before every match. “So, it looks like FIFA will not respond to Bahrain’s wishes,” said Yunus.

Also read: Bahrain asks for match against Indonesia at a neutral location, this is PSSI’s response