Wednesday, 27 May 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM – The Indonesian province of North Sumatra (Sumatera Utara) is in the final stage of preparation to host the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U-19 Boys' Championship 2026. International delegations and participating teams have already begun arriving in Medan, while local authorities and the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) confirm that all organizational and technical requirements are fully in place.
Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution has successfully secured the prestigious youth tournament, which will feature 11 participating nations. The championship is scheduled to take place from June 1 to June 14, 2026.
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International Delegations Arrive in Medan
Early arrivals include match officials from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), along with teams from Group A—comprising Indonesia, Vietnam, and Myanmar. Timor-Leste has already been training in Medan for several days as part of its pre-tournament preparation camp.
On Saturday, May 30, 2026, delegations from the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) and Group B teams are expected to arrive. Group B includes Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore. One day later, on May 31, Group C teams—Australia, Cambodia, and the Philippines—will complete the lineup of participating nations in Medan.
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Infrastructure and Stadiums Fully Prepared
Head of the Communication and Information Agency of North Sumatra, Erwin Hotmansah Harahap, stated that preparations are nearly complete, with only match-day execution remaining.
"Our preparations are fully in place—from parking areas, traffic management, stadium access, security arrangements, to catering for officials. We are now simply waiting for the tournament to begin," he said in Medan on Monday (May 25, 2026).
The provincial government has designated three main venues for the tournament: the North Sumatra Main Stadium, Teladan Stadium, and Madya Stadium. Additional training facilities include Mini Pancing Stadium, Cadika Training Field, and Kebun Bunga Field.
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Shuttle Services for Spectators Prepared
To support spectator mobility, a shuttle bus system will be operated in cooperation with Damri and private transport partners. The service will connect key points across Medan directly to the North Sumatra Main Stadium.
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"We are collaborating with private partners to provide shuttle buses directly to the main stadium," Erwin added.
He also called on the public to actively support the international sporting event and help promote a positive image of the province on the global stage. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Darmailawati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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