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Agence France-Presse

Asian football chiefs said on Friday they took Bahrain’s concerns “seriously” after the country looked to get a World Cup qualifier moved out of Indonesia over alleged death threats.
Bahrain are scheduled to play Indonesia away in March in the decisive third round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
The teams met last week and drew 2-2, with hosts Bahrain equalising in the ninth minute of injury time.
Indonesian officials and supporters later complained bitterly that the added time had gone on for too long.
Bahrain Football Association (BFA) said this week it would ask for the return fixture to be moved out of Indonesia “to preserve the safety of the team”.

Bahrain’s players have been “subjected to a torrent of insults, slander, threats and hacking operations” online, the BFA alleged.
Indonesia’s FA said the Bahrain team would be safe.
The Asian Football Confederation said it was “aware of the concerns”.
“The AFC takes these concerns seriously and is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all players, officials and fans, while condemning all forms of online abuse and threats,” it said in a statement.
“The AFC will discuss the matter further with [world governing body] Fifa, the BFA and the Football Association of Indonesia to create a safe and secure environment for all stakeholders involved in the match.”


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Fifa

World Cup 2026: Asian football body takes Bahrain concerns ‘seriously’ after death threats

Bahrain and Indonesia players clash after the match at the Bahrain National Stadium last week. Photo: Reuters

Referee Ahmed Al-Kaf with police after the match, which Indonesia complained had gone on too long. Photo: Reuters

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Bahrain’s Mohamed Marhoon (number 8) scored twice, including in added time, to hold Indonesia 2-2. Photo: Reuters

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A fan waves China’s national flag to celebrate their team’s win against Indonesia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification match in Qingdao on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Branko Ivankovic (front right) celebrates with his China team after beating Indonesia 2-1. Photo: Xinhua

China’s Zhang Yuning scores his team’s second goal past Indonesia’s goalkeeper Maarten Paes. Photo: Reuters

Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma (left) reacts after Australian Cameron Burgess’ own goal in their 1-1 draw. Photo: Kyodo

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Sport

Football

Players have faced ‘insults, slander, threats and hacking operations’ online, Bahrain’s FA alleges, since last week’s 2-2 draw with Indonesia


Players have faced ‘insults, slander, threats and hacking operations’ online, Bahrain’s FA alleges, since last week’s 2-2 draw with Indonesia.


Fifa World Cup 2026

Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

Bahrain

Indonesia