Timnas U-15 Indonesia secured a place in Tier C at the 2024/2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan, after finishing third in Group G with seven points. Following an opening victory and a subsequent defeat to Wales, the Garuda Muda played to a 1-1 draw against Bangladesh through an equalizer from I Kadek Dwi Putra and dropped a narrow 2-1 result to Portugal, before defeating Burundi 6-1 to secure third place in the group standings, as reported by Kompasiana.

Group G Standings And The Path To Tier C In Baku

Under the tournament’s unique formatting at the Hovsan Competition Complex, all participating teams advanced to the 32-round knockout phase, with group placement determining their respective tier. Group winners entered Tier A to compete for the global title, while group runners-up landed in Tier B. Indonesia’s seven points from five group fixtures left them behind group winners Portugal and runners-up Wales, but comfortably ahead of Burundi with six points, Bangladesh with two, and Fiji with zero.

Nail-Biting Penalty Shootout Against Moldova In The Round Of 32

Entering the Tier C bracket, Indonesia faced Group X third-place finishers Moldova on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Pitch 9A of the Hovsan Competition Complex. As reported by Kompas, Muhammad Nazar opened the scoring for the Garuda Muda in the third minute before Moldova equalized with a header in the 22nd minute and took a 2-1 lead from long range. Indonesia leveled at 2-2 in the 32nd minute and subsequently claimed a 3-2 lead, only for Moldova to equalize via a penalty in the 39th minute to force a 3-3 draw at the end of regulation time.

CNN Indonesia noted that the subsequent penalty shootout proved tense as both sides traded successful conversions. Every Indonesian taker converted from the spot, and Moldova’s final kick struck the crossbar, giving Indonesia a 9-8 victory in the shootout to advance to the 16-round knockout stage of Tier C.

Upcoming Match Against Panama In The Tier C Knockout Bracket

Following the victory over Moldova, Indonesia advanced to face Panama in the next round of the Tier C bracket on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 21:15 local time in Baku, corresponding to Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 00:15 WIB, after Panama defeated Uzbekistan in the opening knockout round.

PSSI Academy Progress And Development Assessment

As reported by Bola.com, academy coach Alex Zwiers shared on Instagram that the journey for the 2010-born age group commenced six months prior, while the 2011-born group started their international exposure less than two months before the tournament.

Tournament Format and First Edition Context

Approved by the FIFA Council in December 2025 for players born in 2011 or 2012, the tournament utilizes a smaller pitch and two 20-minute halves. Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praised the success of the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku after witnessing 189 member associations compete in the updated eight-versus-eight format. With the team competing in Tier C, Indonesia now focuses on securing 65th place globally, while the inaugural world title is contested exclusively by teams in Tier A.