JAKARTA – Indonesia has appointed former Netherlands forward Patrick Kluivert as the new head coach of their men’s national football team, marking a significant step in their pursuit of a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
The announcement on Wednesday follows the dismissal of South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong earlier this week. Kluivert, 48, brings an impressive pedigree, having scored 40 goals in 79 international appearances for the Netherlands and achieved Champions League glory with Ajax in 1995. Kluivert’s tenure will run until 2027, with an option for further extension, according to a statement from Indonesia’s soccer federation.
Currently third in their World Cup qualification group, Indonesia trails second-placed Australia by just one point. With the tournament expanding from 32 to 48 teams, the Southeast Asian nation sees this as a pivotal opportunity to secure their first World Cup appearance since 1938, when they competed as the Dutch East Indies.
Kluivert’s coaching résumé includes stints with Turkish club Adana Demirspor, the Curacao national team, and various leadership roles such as director of football for Paris Saint-Germain, assistant coach for the Netherlands and Cameroon, and manager of Ajax’s youth team. Joining Kluivert’s staff are Dutch assistants Alex Pastoor and Denny Landzaat. The trio will officially be unveiled in Jakarta on Sunday.
Kluivert’s first challenge comes on March 20, when Indonesia faces Australia in a crucial World Cup qualifier. Even if Indonesia finishes third or fourth in their group, they could still qualify for the 2026 World Cup through additional qualifying rounds and an intercontinental playoff.