PSSI Holds Independence Cup in Medan in Preparation for the U-17 National Team World Cup

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- PSSI will hold the Independence Cup tournament in August in Medan, North Sumatra. This event is part of the preparation of the Indonesia U-17 national team that will perform at the 2025 U-17 World Cup in Qatar on 3-27 November 2025.

Chairman of PSSI Erick Thohir said that taking care of football is not easy. After the AFF U-23 Cup, PSSI already had to prepare the U-17 team for the U-17 World Cup in November.

“It's important. Training Camp has been going on for a month in Bali. We will give a test opportunity for the U-17 team by holding the Independence Cup,” Erick told in Jakarta on Thursday (31/7/2025).

The event, which will be held outside the island of Java, specifically in Medan, North Sumatra, according to Erick, is in appreciation to the government that has built stadiums in the area. According to him, the existing stadium in Medan should be utilized.

“This time, the Independence Cup, which is also the U-17 trial, will be held in the Sumatra region. Don't be too Javana-centric. Venues to be used that were previously built and used during the National Sports Week (PON),” said Erick.

The Independence Cup will be attended by the U-17, South Africa, and Tajikistan national teams. One more participant is still being sought by the PSSI.

“For a trial, three games would be enough. We are still looking for one more participant, if we can from Latin America, but it is a mileage constraint that reaches 36 hours. If not, we will look for someone close so that they can be present to fill the Independence Cup,” he said.

According to Erick, the PSSI selected a trial opponent similar to the competitors in Group H of the U-17 World Cup. Indonesia is joined by Brazil, Zambia, and Honduras. Later, Garuda squad will also be launched early for weather, field, and other temperature adaptation.

“Since the U-17 World Cup will be played not in a stadium but on a field like a festival, it will affect the concentration of players. We expect continued support for the U-17 team hopefully no players are injured. PSSI ensures that the pitch is good, capable facilities of international standard so that players are not injured,” he said.

Erick explained that PSSI is building a layer of national teams, from U-17 to senior, in the same way as the Princess team. PSSI also provides the opportunity for the entire Indonesian population to be able to watch live the action of the national team.

“We must also form human capital in the region, so that organizing football events in the region can increase. The choice in North Sumatra is the right one. We will also apply Garuda ID for spectators at the Independence Cup later,” he stressed.

In the previous U-17 World Cup, Indonesia played because of its host status. This time, however, Garuda Muda qualified through qualifying.

“Thank God we can qualify, if we can get out of the group stage it is incredible. Now we are preparing for the next U-17 World Cup, which will be held once a year. We will prepare from now on,” Erick promised.