Tangerang. Indonesia has requested that referees from outside the Middle East, ideally from Europe, be appointed for its upcoming crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Saudi Arabia and Iraq, amid concerns over neutrality.

National team manager Sumardji said on Thursday that the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has formally written to FIFA, asking for a replacement for Kuwaiti referee Ahmad Al Ali, who is scheduled to officiate the October 9 match against Saudi Arabia.

“We want a referee who is truly neutral, possibly from Europe or elsewhere, someone who has no stake in the region,” Sumardji told reporters before the squad’s departure for Saudi Arabia from Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

PSSI has also sent a protest to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), arguing that referees from the same region as the host nation could compromise fairness. “So far, we have not received any reply to the letter sent to FIFA,” Sumardji said.

He added that Indonesia had previously experienced unfavorable officiating when playing in certain countries. “I cannot mention specifics, but the Indonesian public knows how referees and match officials have treated us in the past,” he said.

The upcoming fixtures are decisive for Indonesia’s World Cup ambitions. In the final round of Asian qualifiers, only group winners advance directly to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while runners-up will have a chance through the intercontinental playoffs.

Indonesia faces Saudi Arabia on October 9, followed by Iraq on October 12. Both matches could determine whether Indonesia secures its place in the global tournament.

“We demand referees who are completely fair and impartial to safeguard the integrity of these matches,” Sumardji stressed.