Jay Idzes: Indonesia's World Cup dream doesn't end in defeat.
Although the journey to the 2026 World Cup has ended, captain Jay Idzes affirms that the failure in the qualifying round is a motivation for the next generation of Indonesian players to mature and go further.
Central defender Jay Idzes, the heart and soul of the Indonesian national team's defense, recently shared his heartfelt thoughts on the future of Indonesian football. Despite his team's elimination in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia after tough matches against Saudi Arabia and Iraq, the Serie A star remains steadfast in his belief in leading Indonesia to international success.
The spirit from Serie A and the ambition to reach new heights.
At 25, Jay Idzes is at the peak of his career, having become a key player for Sassuolo. Prior to that, he made a strong impression helping Venezia gain promotion from Serie B to Serie A. His extensive experience in top-level Italian football has given Idzes a deeper understanding of professionalism and discipline.
"My dream is to play in the World Cup with the national team, that would be amazing. As I've said before, it's important to maintain discipline every day, keep striving and fighting even when the results aren't what you want. You have to be persistent and I think that's the core principle," Idzes shared about his playing philosophy.
The persistent journey of the Indonesian national team captain.
Jay Idzes' career has been a steady upward trajectory. Beginning his professional career at the age of 17 in the Netherlands, the central defender has steadily climbed the ladder of success. His move to Sassuolo is not only a personal step forward but also brings great hope to Indonesian football fans for a generation of players capable of competing on equal footing at the international level.
According to Idzes, Indonesia's possession of a squad of players currently playing in Europe, combined with the professionalization of PSSI's management, is a crucial foundation. He believes that although the journey to the World Cup is still challenging, with the right investment, this goal is entirely achievable in the near future.
The transformation of Indonesian football.
Besides the players' determination, Indonesian football is showing bold moves on the coaching bench. The media frenzy in Indonesia over the news that PSSI (Indonesian Football Association) is approaching coach John Herdman – who has experience coaching at the World Cup – shows the nation's undisguised ambition for the 2027 Asian Cup campaign and subsequent World Cups.
Although there are still many obstacles ahead in terms of skill and experience compared to the Asian powerhouses, with the leadership of a strong captain like Jay Idzes, Indonesian fans have every right to believe in a new and more successful era for the national team.
