Indonesia deploys 5,641 police personnel to secure FIFA ASEAN Cup

Photo caption: Indonesia's National Police holds a roll call to commence Operation Garuda Bakti 2026 as part of security and safety measures for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 in Jakarta on Monday (Sept. 21, 2026). (ANTARA/Ilham Kausar)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's National Police (Polri) has deployed 5,641 personnel for Operation Garuda Bakti 2026 to maintain security and public order during the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 in Jakarta and Bandung.

The operation was officially launched with a roll call led by Inspector General Laksana, Deputy Senior Assistant for Operations to the Polri Chief, at a Jakarta Metro Police facility on Monday.

"Operation Garuda Bakti 2026 will run for 16 days, from Sept. 21 to Oct. 6, 2026. The security force comprises 102 command and staff personnel, 3,834 personnel from the Jakarta Metro Police, and 1,705 personnel from the West Java Police," he said during the roll call.

Reading a directive from Polri Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Laksana underscored the need for optimal measures to safeguard public order while ensuring the safety of all players, team officials, and supporters throughout the Southeast Asian football competition.

To that end, he said the security operation would cover stadium areas, arrival points, accommodation facilities, training grounds, team transportation routes, supporter gathering points, parking areas, and vital installations.

Laksana also outlined plans for situational traffic management and patrols in vulnerable areas, digital space monitoring, and the deployment of specialized units to respond to contingencies, including bomb and drone threats.

Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Secretary-General Yunus Nusi praised the police for conducting intensive coordination for more than a month ahead of the inaugural tournament, noting that FIFA had also expressed appreciation for the initiative.

He added that PSSI and Polri had been coordinating security arrangements for the arrival of international guests, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, football association leaders from participating countries, and diplomatic representatives.

Indonesia is set to co-host the 11-team competition alongside Hong Kong, with all Division 1 matches taking place at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium and Bandung’s Si Jalak Harupat Stadium.

Placed in Group A of Division 1, Indonesia will face Singapore, Malaysia, and Bangladesh in Jakarta. Meanwhile, Bandung will stage Group B matches involving Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

Hong Kong will meet Laos and Brunei Darussalam in Group A of Division 2, while Group B will comprise Cambodia, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste.