Indonesia secured a crucial 1-0 victory against Bahrain in a Group C qualifier held on March 25, 2025, at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta. This win is particularly significant as it marks head coach Patrick Kluivert's first victory at the helm of the Indonesian national team after a rocky start that saw them lose 5-1 to Australia just five days earlier. The lone goal of the match came from Ole Romeny, who showcased impressive skill in the 24th minute by converting a pass from Marselino Ferdinan into a goal, beating the Bahrain goalkeeper with a precise finish.
This win boosts Indonesia’s aspirations to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, elevating them to fourth place in their qualifying group. They are now three points clear of both Bahrain and China, who currently sit at the bottom of the six-team group. With Japan having already secured their spot for the World Cup, the stakes are high for the other teams in the group as they vie for the remaining places.
Meanwhile, Australia managed to consolidate their position in the group with a solid 2-0 win over China, maintaining second place and putting them three points ahead of Saudi Arabia, who are in third place but still seven behind Japan. The qualification scenario remains competitive, as only the top two teams will achieve automatic qualification for the World Cup, while the third and fourth place teams will compete in playoff arrangements to determine their fate.
The victory, however, wasn't without its moments of pressure for the Indonesian side. In the second half, substitute Tijjani Reijnders had a close chance that he blazed high and wide. Bahrain improved in the second half, increasing their offensive presence which was a concern for Indonesia. Nonetheless, the determined home side held on to their narrow lead.
This win is especially historic for Indonesia, as their only previous World Cup appearance dates back to 1938 when they participated as the Dutch East Indies. This match also serves as a importance reminder of the potential for the team to rise on an international stage, fueled by a dream to qualify for the World Cup after such a long absence.
In another round of qualifiers, Norway continued their strong form by defeating Israel 4-2. Alexander Sorloth had an outstanding game, hitting the crossbar twice just minutes into the match. The scoreline ultimately reflected Norway’s dominance in Group I, with Sorloth finally finding the net along with goals from David Moller Wolfe, Kristoffer Ajer, and Erling Haaland. Despite some attacking threats from Israel, including a notable goal from Mohammad Abu Fani, it was Norway's performance that shone through as they remain on top of their group.
Germany also secured their position in World Cup qualifying Group A, achieving their place through a tense Nations League quarterfinal against Italy that ended in a 3-3 draw, resulting in a 5-4 aggregate victory. Now placed in a favorable group with Slovakia, Northern Ireland, and Luxembourg, Germany looks poised to make a strong showing as they seek to qualify for the tournament.
Over in Group H, Romania had a commanding performance against San Marino, winning 5-1. Goals from Mihai Popescu, Răzvan Marin, and Ianis Hagi boosted their momentum, striving higher in the Group H ranks after a slow start. The Romanian side now sits in second place, chasing after Bosnia and Herzegovina, who took the top spot following a win against Cyprus.
The upcoming fixtures in June will be crucial for teams like Romania, as they continue their quest for a World Cup berth, facing challenges from Austria and Cyprus.
Only the winners of the 12 qualifying groups will gain automatic entry into the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, adding an extra layer of excitement and rivalry to the tournament. The next rounds of matches will be pivotal in shaping the final outcomes as teams fight for their spot in this global event.
