Eliminated from ASIAD 20, Indonesia files a complaint

Indonesia submitted a grievance to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) following the exclusion of its U23 squad from the 2026 ASIAD, where U23 Vietnam will compete.

The absence of Indonesia’s U23 team from the 2026 ASIAD alongside Vietnam’s U23 has sparked strong reactions across the archipelago. Raja Sapta Oktohari, Chairman of the Indonesian National Olympic Committee (NOC Indonesia), confirmed sending a letter of complaint to the OCA, requesting a review of the decision on the allocation of spots for the men's football tournament.

According to a statement from Datuk Seri Windsor John, Secretary General of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), 16 slots for ASIAD 20 will be granted to the 16 teams participating in the 2026 AFC U23 Championship final tournament. This led to Indonesia’s exclusion due to failure to qualify for the finals, while the Southeast Asian region is left with only two representatives: U23 Vietnam and U23 Thailand.

Reacting to this decision, Raja Sapta Oktohari described the process as “irregular” and lacking transparency. He emphasized: “Such significant changes cannot be implemented suddenly without adequate and fair communication to all stakeholders.”From the perspective of NOC Indonesia, the absence of a separate qualifying round for ASIAD deprived many countries of an opportunity.

The head of NOC Indonesia also raised concerns about the host Japan’s role in adjusting the number of participating teams. He stated: “The host cannot act arbitrarily. All policies must be based on principles of fairness and transparency.”At the same time, Indonesia has sent a direct petition to OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, urging the organization to reconsider the list of participants.

ASIAD 20 is scheduled to take place in Nagoya city (Aichi Prefecture, Japan) from September 19 to October 4, 2026, with the men’s football tournament starting from September 14. Traditionally, football at the games has been open to OCA member countries rather than limited by the results of another competition.

Being excluded from ASIAD not only affects the development plans for Indonesia’s U23 team but also forces the country’s football to shift focus toward other key goals such as the FIFA Series matches and the 2026 AFF Cup. However, Indonesian experts consider missing a major event like ASIAD a significant loss for the young generation of players.