PSSI to invite AFC Champions League Elite referees to Liga Indonesia

The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) is implementing new strategies to elevate refereeing standards for the 2026-2027 Liga Indonesia season. Yoshimi Ogawa, Chairman of the PSSI Referee Committee, announced plans to invite referees from the AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) to officiate in Indonesia. These elite officials will serve as benchmarks for local referees to help them understand high-level standards.

While foreign referees will still be utilized, their assignments will become more selective, focusing on crucial matches rather than every matchday. This follows the precedent set by Yudai Yamamoto, who became Indonesia’s first full-time foreign referee in early 2026. Additionally, PSSI will implement eight updated points regarding the Laws of the Game for the upcoming season.

In a related development for Indonesian officiating, Naufal Adya Fairuski has become the third Indonesian to be named an AFC Elite Referee. After completing a three-year academy program from 2023 to 2026, the 26-year-old joins Thoriq Munir Alkatiri and Yudi Nurchaya in the elite ranks. This designation allows Fairuski to officiate official AFC and FIFA tournaments, including the ACL Elite, and positions him as a potential candidate for the FIFA World Cup in the coming years.