Indonesia Defeats Thailand on Penalties to Win the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup
Indonesia won the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 on Monday, October 5, 2026, defeating Thailand 4-2 in a penalty shootout at the Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno in Jakarta after a 2-2 draw through 120 minutes. The victory ends a 35-year wait for a senior international title in Southeast Asia.
Match Drama and Late Goals at Gelora Bung Karno
The final shifted dramatically in the closing minutes of regulation. Dean James put the host nation ahead in the 84th minute shortly after Thailand went down to 10 players. Indonesia failed to hold the lead as Peeradol Chamrasamee scored an equalizer for Thailand to force extra time. Sanron Iklas then gave Thailand a brief lead in extra time before Elkan Baggott scored to level the match at 2-2, setting up the penalty shootout where Indonesia secured the 4-2 victory.
Ole Romeny Regrets Missed Lead but Welcomes the Trophy
Indonesian striker Ole Romeny admitted the team should have closed out the match against 10 men. Of course, we shouldn’t have let that happen against a team with only ten men,
Romeny told NOS. But that actually brought a sense of relief after extra time, and even more relief during the penalty shootout. It’s been a long time since we’ve won a title; it’s about time.
Romeny added that the tournament win serves as redemption after failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, pointing to the 2030 World Cup as the next target.
International Recognition and FIFA Presence
European clubs and global football figures acknowledged the victory. Spanish club Rayo Vallecano praised goalkeeper Emil Audero for his decisive save on the final penalty kick. English side Millwall celebrated Elkan Baggott’s goal, while Dutch clubs Go Ahead Eagles and Ajax recognized the contributions of Dean James and Maarten Paes respectively. FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended the final at SUGBK, presenting the trophy and noting that the event drew more than 70,000 spectators.
Climbing the FIFA Rankings After the Triumph
The tournament victory awards valuable points to Indonesia in the FIFA rankings. The provisional calculations place the Garuda squad at 117th in the world standings. The official rankings update from FIFA is scheduled for October 7, 2026, placing Indonesia close to Kazakhstan in the global table.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup Final
How many teams played in the final and where was it held?
Indonesia and Thailand contested the final match at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta on Monday, October 5, 2026.
What was the final score of the match?
The match ended 2-2 after 120 minutes of regulation and extra time, followed by a 4-2 penalty shootout victory for Indonesia.
Which European clubs congratulated the Indonesian national team players?
Rayo Vallecano, Millwall, Go Ahead Eagles, and Ajax all published official statements congratulating their respective players who represented Indonesia in the tournament.
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