Indonesia's World Cup bid ends

The Indonesian government missed Tuesday’s deadline to submit official documents to FIFA supporting the 2022 bid and confirmed on Thursday that the country’s chance of hosting the tournament was dead.

The government claimed Indonesia was not ready to host the tournament and that the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) would better channel its resources into developing the sport and improving the performance of its national team.

“To host such a big event, we need to do thorough preparation,” Agung Laksono, Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare, told the Jakarta Globe. “It’s not something that is easy to do.”

“We have sent a letter to [FIFA] saying that, for the time being, Indonesia’s top priority is to develop the game here for better achievement. We don’t want just to become an event organiser. We want to make our game better. Perhaps we’ll back up a bid in the future.”

Australia is scheduled to play its near neighbour in an Asian Cup qualifying match in Brisbane on March 3.

In January, Australia and Indonesia signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding “to cooperate on their respective bids to host the football World Cup”; a move welcomed by Football Federation Australia Chairman Frank Lowy as “a landmark agreement … that will see the game in both countries benefit enormously by the sharing of technical knowledge and experience”.

Earlier this week PSSI officials claimed an Asian country was “confirmed” to host the 2022 tournament.

That claim was strongly refuted by FIFA.

PSSI officials also mooted the idea of a joint bid with Australia.

It is understood Indonesia’s government is determined to lift the profile and reputation of its national football team, currently ranked 136th by FIFA, and may consider encouraging an overhaul of the PSSI.

Asked to comment on the government’s decision to not support the bid for 2022, PSSI secretary general Nugraha Besoes told the Jakarta Globe: “I have a sore throat. I can’t speak right now. Please ask the chairman."