Indonesia's Dreams Of 2022 World Cup Fading Due To Lack of Government Support

The south-east Asian nation is aiming to become the first from the region to play host to the world’s biggest sporting event but if they can’t present an official letter to FIFA detailing the government support, it could all be over.

The deadline to submit the document is February 9.

 “The guarantee letter is very important. Without backing from the government, Indonesia will be disqualified from the bidding process,” Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) deputy secretary general Dali Tahir said according to the Jakarta Post.

“If we don’t take the opportunity now, we’ll have to wait for another 20 years.

“President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Minister of Youth and Sport Andi Alifian Mallarangeng are the key figures to make this bid happen. We plead to them. It’s not just a PSSI event, it’s a big event for Indonesians.” 

That support, according to Minister for Youth and Sport Andi, will not be forthcoming as the government wants more focus on grass-roots.

“As the president said, the PSSI must put the focus on revitalizing football development in the country, not anything else,” Andi said.

“We have to pull ourselves to the top of the Southeast Asian region again, then we’ll have to be one of Asia’s best. After that, we can talk about the World Cup.”

Without official support, Indonesia couldn’t even team up Australia, a rival for 2022, and present a joint-bid.

“FIFA has confirmed the 2022 World Cup will be held in Asia. Australia and Indonesia have a chance, but Australia doesn’t want to face us head-to-head,” Dali claimed.

“They prefer to have us as a strategic ally. But without the guarantee letter, it’s impossible to join forces with Australia.”

Indonesia will be up against Australia, England, Japan, Qatar, Russia, South Korea and the United States, plus joint bids from Spain-Portugal and Belgium-Netherland for the right to hold 2022.