Gus Dur's predictions for the Indonesian national team in the World Cup

HOLI– The former President of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid alias Gus Dur, once predicted the future of football in the country. Gus Dur had time to say about the fate of the Indonesian National Team in the World Cup.

This moment occurred in 2006 when the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) figure was speaking in an interview. Initially Gus Dur was asked about the 2006 World Cup which team would qualify for the final.

Rizal Ramli dan Gus Dur Photo : vstory

At that time, Gus Dur said there were four champion teams that had that potential. The four teams in question include Argentina, Germany, Brazil and France. "Yes, basically if not Argentina, Germany, Brazil, then France," answered Gus Dur, quoting from NU Online, Monday 2 September 2024.

Gus Dur is a figure who is known for his hobby of football. He rarely even missed watching the World Cup tournament during his life. When asked about the chances of the Indonesian National Team, Gus Dur also opened his voice.

Timnas Indonesia senior jelang hadapi Curacao Photo : PSSI.org

Senior Indonesian national team ahead of facing Curacao Photo : PSSI.org

According to him, the Indonesian National Team needs to be tougher if they want to qualify for this event. Because at that time the condition of the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) was often chaotic.

When asked in 2006, Gus Dur said the possibility of the Indonesian national team qualifying for the World Cup was still very long. There are estimates that it will be around 20 years since the interview was held. This prediction is starting to be felt in the current era. Remembering that the Garuda Squad is currently struggling in the 2026 World Cup Qualifications. "Wow, it's still a long time," said Gus Dur when asked about the Indonesian national team's chances of qualifying for the World Cup.

"How many more years Gus, 20 more years?" asked the presenter. “Yes, it's been a long time, basically it's still a long time. Yes, what else, PSSI is like that. How will our football progress? That's all, why bother," said Gus Dur later.

As is known, currently the Indonesian National Team is the sole representative of Southeast Asia who is able to qualify for the third round of World Cup Qualification. The Garuda squad has the opportunity to go further if it is able to be in fourth place in Group C, which is occupied by Japan, China, Australia, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Prediksi Gus Dur untuk Timnas Indonesia di Piala Dunia

HOLIDAY NEWS – Mantan Presiden Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid alias Gus Dur, pernah memprediksi tentang masa depan sepak bola di Tanah Air. Gus Dur sempat mengatakan nasib Timnas Indonesia di kancah Piala Dunia.

Momen itu terjadi pada 2006 silam saat tokoh Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) tersebut tengah berbincang dalam sebuah wawancara. Mulanya Gus Dur ditanya seputar Piala Dunia 2006 tentang tim mana yang akan lolos ke final.

Kala itu Gus Dur mengatakan empat tim jagoan yang punya potensi itu. Keempat tim yang dimaksud di antaranya adalah Argentina, Jerman, Brasil, dan Prancis.

“Ya, pokoknya kalau nggak Argentina, Jerman, Brasil, ya Prancis," jawab Gus Dur, mengutip dari NU Online, Senin 2 September 2024.

Gus Dur merupakan tokoh yang dikenal hobi dengan sepakbola. Dia bahkan jarang absen untuk menyaksikan turnamen Piala Dunia selama hidupnya. Ketika ditanya soal peluang Timnas Indonesia, Gus Dur pun turut buka suara.

Menurutnya, Timnas Indonesia perlu ditempa lebih keras jika ingin bisa lolos ke ajang tersebut. Sebab pada saat itu kondisi Federasi Sepakbola Indonesia (PSSI) kerap kali carut marut.

Ketika ditanya pada 2006 silam, Gus Dur mengatakan kemungkinan Timnas Indonesia lolos ke Piala Dunia masih sangat lama. Ada perkiraan sekitar 20 tahun lagi sejak wawancara itu digelar. Prediksi itu pun mulai terasa di era sekarang. Mengingat Skuad Garuda saat ini tengah berjuang di Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2026.

“Wah, masih lama,” ujar Gus Dur ketika ditanya peluang Timnas Indonesia lolos Piala Dunia.

"Berapa tahun lagi Gus, 20 tahun lagi?" tanya sang presenter.

“Ya lama sekali, pokoknya masih lama. Ya gimana lagi, lha PSSI-nya kayak gitu. Gimana persepakbolaan kita mau maju. Gitu aja kok repot," tukas Gus Dur kemudian.

Sebagaimana diketahui, saat ini Timnas Indonesia menjadi wakil tunggal Asia Tenggara yang mampu lolos ke babak ketiga Kualifikasi Piala Dunia. Skuad Garuda punya kesempatan melangkah lebih jauh jika mampu berada di peringkat keempat klasemen Grup C yang dihuni oleh Jepang, China, Australia, Bahrain, dan Arab Saudi.