Jordan’s national football team will not play its planned international friendly against Indonesia after the Indonesian Football Association requested that the match be cancelled. The decision was made because of security concerns linked to the wider situation in the Middle East. Indonesia’s football officials said they were concerned that the regional conditions could affect the players’ mental wellbeing during the trip.
The match had been scheduled for the November international window as part of preparations for the next Asian Cup. A representative of the Indonesian Football Association said the organisation had discussed the situation with its coach and leadership before deciding not to travel. The official said the decision was difficult but necessary because the safety and wellbeing of the players had to remain a priority.
Jordan’s football association confirmed the cancellation and said Indonesia had apologised for not fulfilling the fixture. The two teams had hoped to use the match to test their squads and improve their preparation ahead of future international competitions. With limited time remaining in the international window, arranging a replacement opponent is expected to be difficult.
Jordan said its separate friendly against Australia, scheduled for November 17 in Amman, remained on the calendar. The announcement came as reports suggested some Australian players were uneasy about travelling to the region. Football Australia had delayed announcing its squad for the upcoming matches, although it had not immediately commented on the Jordan fixture.
Security concerns have increased following several incidents in the region. Jordan recently carried out airstrikes in neighbouring Syria, while a stabbing attack in Amman killed a security officer and injured another. Australia has advised its citizens to reconsider travel to Jordan because of the unpredictable regional situation and the risk of terrorism.
The cancellation highlights how political and security developments can affect international sport. Teams often arrange friendly matches months in advance, but changing conditions can make travel difficult or unsafe. Jordan and Indonesia will now have to adjust their preparation plans, while organisers will continue to assess whether other international fixtures can go ahead as scheduled.
