Indonesia — Football

Football is the most popular sport in Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous nation. With over 270 million people, Indonesia has a massive and passionate football following. The country has 3 leagues and 44 teams, with the Liga 2 at the top. Indonesian football generates extraordinary enthusiasm, with some of the largest and most vocal crowds in Asian football.

Despite the intense passion, Indonesian football has faced significant challenges including governance issues, stadium safety concerns, and limited international success. However, the domestic league attracts huge attendances, and the country continues to work towards improving its infrastructure and competitiveness on the international stage.

Football in Indonesia dates to the Dutch colonial period, and the country (then the Dutch East Indies) made history by becoming the first Asian team to participate in a FIFA World Cup in 1938. The PSSI was founded in 1930 and played an important role in the Indonesian independence movement. After independence, Indonesian football developed rapidly, with domestic leagues drawing passionate support.

The domestic game has undergone several structural changes, including periods of dual competing leagues. The current Liga 1 was established to unify Indonesian professional football. Despite governance challenges and a devastating stadium disaster at Kanjuruhan in 2022, which killed over 130 people, Indonesian football retains an enormous and devoted following.

The Football Association of Indonesia (Persatuan Sepak Bola Seluruh Indonesia) is the governing body of football in Indonesia, founded in 1930. A member of the AFC and FIFA, the PSSI oversees Liga 1, Liga 2, the Piala Indonesia (Indonesian Cup), and all national teams. The PSSI has faced FIFA sanctions in the past over government interference but continues to manage the sport across the vast Indonesian archipelago.

The Indonesian football league system consists of three tiers. Liga 1 features 18 clubs competing in a home-and-away format. Liga 2 serves as the second tier, and Liga 3 provides regional amateur competition. The Piala Indonesia is the national cup competition. Persija Jakarta, Persib Bandung, and Arema FC are among the best-supported clubs in the league.

Indonesian club football features intensely supported clubs spread across the archipelago. Persija Jakarta and Persib Bandung command two of the largest fan bases in Asian football, and their matches generate extraordinary atmosphere. The rivalry between these two clubs is the biggest in Indonesian football. Arema FC from Malang, Bali United, and PSM Makassar also have massive followings.

Indonesian football fans are among the most passionate in Asia, with supporters groups (particularly Persib's "Viking" and Persija's "Jakmania") known for their choreographed displays and unwavering loyalty, sometimes with an intensity that has raised safety concerns.

Indonesia (as the Dutch East Indies) made history by becoming the first Asian team to play at a FIFA World Cup in 1938. Since then, the national team has not qualified for the tournament, though they have been competitive in Southeast Asian football. Indonesia have reached the final of the AFF Championship (Southeast Asian competition) on multiple occasions.

Indonesia co-hosted the 2007 Asian Cup with Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, demonstrating the country's capacity to stage major football events. The national team continues to develop, with investment in youth programmes aimed at improving international competitiveness.

The Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, with a capacity of approximately 78,000, is the national stadium of Indonesia and one of the largest in Asia. It has hosted major international events and national team matches. The Jakarta International Stadium, opened in 2022 with a capacity of 82,000, is one of the newest large-scale football venues in the region.

Football culture in Indonesia is extraordinarily passionate, with some of the largest and most vocal supporter groups in Asian football. Indonesian fans display intense loyalty through coordinated chanting, choreographed displays, and massive banners. The rivalry between Persija Jakarta and Persib Bandung generates an atmosphere that rivals the most intense derbies anywhere in the world. Football is a source of civic pride and community identity across the Indonesian archipelago.