Money, Momentum, and World Cup Dreams: Saudi vs Indonesia in the Asian Playoff Showdown
7 October 2025
The Asian playoff for the 2026 World Cup is underway as Saudi Arabia seeks to reclaim global shine and return to the world stage after failing to qualify directly from the group in the final phase. The Green have a storied qualification record, but Indonesia arrive with a refreshed, ambitious squad hungry to rewrite their football story in this new era of European league players.
Saudi finished third in Group B in the decisive Asian round and advance to the playoff stage where they will face Indonesia on Wednesday and Iraq on October 14, all within Group B. The winner of the group advances directly to the World Cup finals, while the runner-up faces a two-legged tie against the runner-up from Group A to decide the last World Cup slot.
Saudi open the playoff against Indonesia at the Al Enmaa Stadium on Wednesday night, a match that leaves no room for half measures and should set up a dramatic date with Iraq. Despite being the traditional favorites on paper, the matchup is not a given, especially after the two most recent head-to-head results have Saudi and Indonesia each taking turns at avoiding comfortable margins, with a 1-1 draw in Jeddah and a 2-0 loss in Jakarta giving Indonesia a psychological boost.
Saudi enters the playoff with long standing experience in continental qualification and a track record of World Cup campaigns, having appeared in six editions and most recently achieving a famous win over Argentina in Qatar 2022 under the leadership of a new generation of Saudi stars.
Saudi dominance, but a different Indonesian edition
In direct meetings, the Green hold a commanding edge, facing Indonesia 16 times in all competitions and collecting 12 wins, three draws and a single defeat. Yet Indonesia today is not the same as before, boosted by a surge in professional level abroad and a more cosmopolitan squad that reflects a broader pool of talent.
Money talks: a slight Saudi edge in market value
According to Transfer Market, Saudi Arabia edges Indonesia slightly in market value, with the Green at around 30.60 million euros versus Indonesia at 29.45 million euros. Saudi’s squad is peppered with players whose market values highlight the team’s prestige in this matchup.
Among Saudis, the lead names include Firas Al-Buraikan of Al Ahli at roughly 4.5 million euros, Musab Al-Juwaier of Al Qadisya at about 4 million, Saeed Abdulhamid of Lens at 3 million, Hassan Tambakti of Al Hilal at 1.6 million, and Salem Al-Dawsari of Al Hilal at 1.5 million, each bringing proven quality and leadership to the challenge.
Indonesia’s top valued stars
Indonesia relies on a mix of European oriented talent led by a Sassuolo defender valued at about 7.5 million euros, followed by Kevin Diks of Borussia Monchengladbach at 5 million, Calvin Verdonk of Lille at 2.5 million, plus Martin Pays, keeper of Dallas FC, at 1.8 million and Dien James of Go Ahead Eagles at 1.8 million, highlighting a squad with European pedigree and rising stars.
A million-dollar clash in Jeddah
Across metrics, the Saudi vs Indonesia spectacle promises a high-octane, high-value contest that reflects the evolving Asian football landscape. While the Saudis push to reaffirm their continental dominance and a direct World Cup berth, Indonesia eyes a historic breakthrough and a fresh chapter driven by European experience.
And as the numbers climb, the real question remains: will the next two games write a new page in Asian football history or simply remind us that in football, money is often a good warm-up act for the drama that follows?
Punchline 1: If this match were a budget spreadsheet, the numbers would make even accountants cheer and then request a double espresso. Punchline 2: And if ego burned calories, both teams would finish halfway through the game with a six-pack of confidence and zero regrets, because ball yes, but pride even more valuable in stoppage time.
