Indra Sjafri Dismissed After Garuda Muda Fails SEA Games 2025 Thailand Target

PSSI officially ended its cooperation with Indra Sjafri after the performance of Indonesia's U22 national team at SEA Games 2025 Thailand fell far below expectations. This decision followed Garuda Muda's failure to advance to the semifinals and their inability to meet the medal target set since the tournament's beginning.

Entering as defending champions, Indonesia was eliminated in the group stage. Indra Sjafri, entrusted again to lead the team after delivering gold in the 2023 edition, couldn't replicate that success. 

This outcome caused Indonesia to fail in defending the Gold Medal and even missed the minimum silver medal target established by Indonesia's Minister of Youth and Sports.

PSSI's decision was formally announced by National Team Agency (BTN) Chairman Sumardji during a Jakarta press conference on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

“We've agreed that the first evaluation outcome is terminating the working relationship between Coach Indra Sjafri and PSSI or the federation,” stated Sumardji.

PSSI emphasized the termination was conducted professionally per the existing contract. All rights and obligations of both parties will be fulfilled accordingly.

Sumardji added that Indra Sjafri accepted the decision maturely. The 62-year-old coach reportedly understood the situation and the federation's evaluation results.

This termination applies not only to Indra's role as National Team Coach for SEA Games, but also covers all his responsibilities within PSSI. 

Previously, Indra was also part of PSSI's Technical Director team under Alexander Zwiers.

With Indra Sjafri's era concluded, PSSI is restructuring age-group coaching. Temporarily, U22/U23 coaching duties will be handled concurrently by Indonesia's senior National Team Coach.

PSSI confirmed the senior National Team Coach who'll also manage U22/U23 will be announced shortly, at the earliest this month or latest next month. 

This move forms part of the federation's efforts to overhaul development direction after the Sea Games 2025 failure, while preparing for upcoming major international agendas.