CENTRAL JAVA GOVT TO FACILITATE SCREENINGS OF 2026 WORLD CUP

State-run broadcaster TVRI hosts a kick-off event for the nationwide airing of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Semarang, Central Java, on Sunday (Feb. 1, 2026). (ANTARA/HO-Central Java Provincial Government)

Semarang (ANTARA) - The Central Java provincial government has pledged to facilitate free public viewings of football matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled for June and July this year.

Central Java Regional Secretary Sumarno conveyed the commitment at a World Cup kick-off event organized by state-run television TVRI, which has secured broadcast rights for all 104 matches in Indonesia.

"Football is immensely popular; it has become the favorite sport not only among urban residents but also among those living in remote villages," he remarked in Semarang, Central Java, on Sunday.

He urged all district and municipal governments across the province to follow suit, expressing hope that the free-to-air broadcast of the world’s most prestigious football tournament would have a tangible impact on Indonesian football.

TVRI’s commitment to the inclusive broadcast of the 2026 World Cup is expected to allow all Indonesian citizens to watch the quadrennial championship free of charge, helping to reignite the nation’s strong passion for the sport.

"We want to revitalize the people’s enthusiasm for football," said Sumarno, speaking on behalf of Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi.

In this regard, the official recalled his youth, when local football tournaments at the neighborhood, village, and sub-district levels were frequently held. He observed that such enthusiasm and competitiveness seem to have waned in recent years.

He expressed hope that the nationwide airing of the World Cup would encourage football stakeholders to intensify talent scouting and strengthen efforts to develop the sport in Indonesia, with the long-term goal of one day qualifying for the tournament.

Meanwhile, Head of TVRI Central Java Sanny Damanik described the free-to-air policy as a testament to the state’s concern for its citizens.

"This is a gift from President Prabowo Subianto," she said.

Emphasizing accessibility, Damanik noted that viewers will not require internet connectivity to watch the World Cup, as all matches will be broadcast terrestrially on TVRI channels, including TVRI Nasional and TVRI Sport.