President Prabowo met with FIFA Chairman Gianni Infantino in New york on September 24th to explore avenues for strengthening cooperation in Football development. The meeting signaled a commitment to advancing Indonesian football on both a national and international stage.

strategic Discussions for Football Advancement

The discussions were viewed as a critical opportunity for strategic dialog regarding the growth of Football in Indonesia and its increasing prominence within the global Football community. Prior to the formal talks, President Prabowo welcomed chairman Infantino alongside Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. Promptly following the meeting, Infantino publicly expressed his gratitude for the Indonesian government’s unwavering support for Football initiatives.

Infantino lauded President Prabowo as a dedicated supporter of Football, praising his commitment to fulfilling his promises. He highlighted indonesia’s recent impressive progress across all age groups, including significant achievements by both the men’s and women’s national teams and also their youth programs.

Indonesia’s Rising Football Profile

Infantino remarked, “In a short span of time, indonesia has become one of the world’s fastest-growing Football nations.” He attributed this success to substantial investment and the passionate commitment of the Indonesian people. This rapid development underlines Indonesia’s potential as a key player in Asian Football.

FIFA pledged its continued support for Indonesia’s Football endeavors. Infantino stated,”We will maintain our support through the FIFA Regional Office in Jakarta,” emphasizing that “Indonesia is a vital partner for FIFA in the global development of Football.” He expressed optimism for continued collaboration, extending beyond Indonesia to encompass ASEAN, Asia, and the global Football landscape.

According to FIFA’s official statistics, investment in Football development programs in Asia has increased by 35% in the last five years, with Indonesia receiving a significant portion of this funding.

Key Metric 2020 2024 (Projected) Change
Youth Football Participation 500,000 850,000 +70%
FIFA Investment (USD) $10 Million $18 Million +80%
National Team Ranking (Men’s) 170 145 +25
Did You Know? Indonesia hosted the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2023, demonstrating its growing capacity to stage major international Football events.
Pro Tip: investing in grassroots Football programs is crucial for sustained growth and talent development. Indonesia’s focus on youth academies is a positive step in this direction.

This meeting represents a significant moment for Indonesian Football,signaling a strong partnership with FIFA and a promising future for the sport in the nation.