Governing Bodies
Fury, sadness in Indonesia after FIFA pulls Under-20 World Cup
Indonesian players, fans and pundits reacted with anger and sadness on Thursday after Fifa stripped the host nation of the right to stage the Under-20 World Cup weeks before its kick off, following protests against Israel’s participation.
The humiliating incident came after two influential governors advocated banning Israel from the football competition.
Indonesia and Israel do not have formal diplomatic relations, and support for the Palestinian cause in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation runs high, fuelling local opposition to hosting the Israeli team.
Fifa’s decision to find a new host – thereby striking out Indonesia’s automatic qualifying spot – puts the country’s most popular sport back in the doldrums and facing another bout of isolation as it recovers from a 2022 stadium stampede that killed at least 125 people.
Some of the nation’s football prodigies took to social media with fury after losing the chance to play at what Fifa bills as the “tournament of tomorrow’s superstars”.
“Energy, time, sweat and even blood we have put in but, in a moment, failed because of political reasons. Here’s our big dream that you’ve destroyed,” wrote 19-year-old striker Rabbani Tasnim.
A video online showed players with heads bowed and their coach in tears after receiving the news late on Wednesday that Fifa would seek a new host.
“We, the players, are now affected, not just us but all footballers,” said 18-year-old striker Hokky Caraka.
Head coach Shin Tae Yong said he was “heartbroken and tired” after preparing the team for more than three years for the showpiece.
On Thursday morning, flower boards for the players popped up outside the Football Association’s (PSSI) headquarters in Jakarta, including one that read “Do not give up on your dream”.
Indonesians also inundated the Instagram page of Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo with negative comments after he opposed Israel’s participation.
Bali governor Wayan Koster had also joined the anti-Israel chorus and around a hundred conservative Muslim protesters held an anti-Israel rally in Jakarta in March.
Mr Koster on Thursday cited the occupation of Palestinian lands and “threat and security” concerns for rejecting Israel’s participation, comparing his call for a ban to Russia’s exile from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Democratic Party of Struggle, the powerful nationalist ruling party of President Joko Widodo and Mr Koster, in a statement expressed regret about the decision but said it had sought for Israel to play its games in “the nearest neighbouring country”.
But there was popular support for the tournament – scheduled to be held from May 20 to June 11 – to go ahead as planned with many viewing it as a source of national pride.
Jakarta had pledged to guarantee Israel’s participation despite its pro-Palestinian stance, but opposing voices became too loud for Fifa.
“This is a very painful incident for the Indonesian people. Those who made the noise and made us fail… must be held accountable,” said Akmal Marhali, an expert at football watchdog Save Our Soccer.
Indonesian officials said losing the tournament could cost the country “trillions of rupiah”.
Fifa also threatened further sanctions for the protests and could exclude Indonesia from 2026 World Cup qualifiers that begin in October.
However, for Indonesia’s fervent fans, it was the loss of their first-ever major football tournament that hurt the most.
“I am very disappointed because it has been my dream to watch Indonesia hosting a global football event,” said 40-year-old supporter Jarnawi.
“We are talking about youths who want to play soccer. They do not have any more interests. Why is this issue blindly mixed with political games?,” said pundit Justinus Lhaksana.
Fifa said the decision was taken following a meeting between its president Gianni Infantino and PSSI chairman Erick Thohir.
“A new host will be announced as soon as possible… Potential sanctions against the PSSI may also be decided at a later stage,” a statement read.
President Widodo said he was “disappointed and sad” over the call, but added that it must be respected.
“Don’t waste your energy blaming one another. As a big nation, we have to look towards what’s in front, not behind,” he said, adding he had instructed Thohir to work on avoiding Fifa sanctions.
AFP/Reuters
The FIFA Museum in Zurich has launched a new special exhibition titled Innovation in Action: Football Technologies on and off the Pitch, offering visitors an unprecedented glimpse into how innovation is transforming the world’s most popular sport.
Opened on Monday, October 1, 2025, the immersive showcase was developed in collaboration with the FIFA Innovation Team and other departments within world football’s governing body. It explores how cutting-edge technology supports players, referees, and fans—enhancing performance, ensuring fairness, and enriching the overall football experience—while preserving the game’s passion and human spirit.
“What makes this exhibition truly special is that we can give visitors a never-before-seen behind-the-scenes look that allows them to step inside football innovation, experiencing it hands-on rather than just reading about it,” said Marco Fazzone, Managing Director of the FIFA Museum. “We offer a glimpse at technologies and tools that fans don’t normally get to experience up close, while also showing how innovation has evolved over almost 100 years of FIFA World Cup history.”
Organised around five themed sections — Broadcasting & Media, Intelligent Data, Refereeing & Fair Play, Staging the Game, and the Innovation Lab — the exhibition blends rare artefacts with interactive displays. Visitors can relive football’s broadcast evolution, from the black-and-white footage of the 1954 World Cup to today’s ultra-slow motion 4K replays, and even step into a virtual referee booth to experience the pressures of officiating in real time.
Among the standout features is the FIFA Player App, which allows fans to explore Chelsea star Cole Palmer’s performance statistics from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final, illustrating how data helps players refine their craft.
Another exhibit showcases Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan’s water bottle from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 — marked with opponents’ penalty data — revealing how analytics influence critical moments.
Visitors can also view a referee body camera used at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, giving a fresh perspective on decision-making from the official’s point of view.
The exhibition invites visitors to engage directly with football technology. They can test their reflexes and judgment as referees, operate goal-line technology systems, or assume the role of a broadcast director managing live match feeds. Data enthusiasts can analyse player movements, while aspiring innovators can design their own football tech concepts inside the Innovation Lab.
Innovation in Action runs until 31 March 2026 at the FIFA Museum in Zurich. Entry is included with a standard museum ticket.
With its rich mix of storytelling, interactivity, and history, the exhibition promises to be a must-see experience for anyone passionate about the future of the beautiful game.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that football could not solve conflicts, but it must carry a message of peace and unity as Israel’s military operation in Gaza and other global tensions fuel calls for the sport to take a stand.
“At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world,” Infantino told a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich where he met Palestinian federation president Jibril Rajoub.
“Our thoughts are with those who are suffering in the many conflicts that exist around the world today, and the most important message that football can convey right now is one of peace and unity.”
Infantino said world football’s governing body could not solve geopolitical crises, but “it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.”
“I met Palestinian Football Association (PFA) President Jibril Rajoub today at the Home of FIFA in Zurich to discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East region,” Infantino later wrote on Instagram.
“I commend President Rajoub and the PFA for their resilience at this time and I reiterated to him FIFA’s commitment to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world.”
FIFA has faced repeated calls to act over the war in Gaza, with Palestinian officials pressing for Israel to be suspended from international football.
The issue has been under review by FIFA for months, but no decision has been taken. Infantino has consistently said such matters require consensus with the confederations and must be handled with caution.
The comments came a day after FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani noted that any decision over Israel’s participation in European competitions, including World Cup qualifiers, was a matter for UEFA to decide, effectively putting the onus on the European body.
“First and foremost, it (Israel) is a member of UEFA, no different than I have to deal with a member of my region for whatever reason… They have to deal with that,” Montagliani told reporters at the Leaders sports business conference on Wednesday.
Israel are third in Europe’s Group I of the qualifying stage for next year’s World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Amnesty International on Wednesday sent a letter to FIFA and UEFA calling on them to suspend the Israel Football Association.
-Reuters
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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports suggesting that its Statutes will be amended at this year’s Annual General Assembly (AGA), insisting that no such plans are on the table for the September 27 meeting.
In a statement, the Federation stressed that the ongoing conversation around its Statutes remains at a preliminary stage and that suggestions of imminent changes are unfounded.
Ahead of the AGA, the NFF will host a workshop on September 26, bringing together representatives of its members, as well as officials from FIFA and CAF. According to the Federation, the forum is strictly consultative, designed to deliberate on proposals for new Statutes in line with the principles of good governance and international best practices.
The NFF explained that only after consensus is reached with its members will a separate General Assembly be convened to formally consider and adopt any proposed Statute changes.
“The NFF remains committed to due process, transparency, and working hand-in-hand with its General Assembly Members, FIFA, and CAF,” the statement read.
“The ultimate goal is to establish enduring Statutes that will strengthen governance, broaden representation, and promote inclusivity within Nigerian football.”
The Federation added that the long-term reform framework is aimed at ensuring stability and progress across its structures and enhancing the participation of all stakeholders in the country’s football administration.
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