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

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

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

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.

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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”.

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

Bahrain’s players have been “subjected to a torrent of insults, slander, threats and hacking operations” online, the BFA alleged.

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