Indonesia and France are strengthening strategic cooperation in the field of sports through the launch of the Next Goal program, a bilateral initiative focused on developing women’s football domestically.
This program is part of the collaborative legacy following the Paris 2024 Olympics and the momentum towards the FIFA 2026 World Cup, while also reinforcing the commitment of both countries to promoting gender equality and youth empowerment through sports.
This collaboration involves the French Embassy in Indonesia, the French Football Federation, and the Football Association of Indonesia.
Football, as the sport with the largest fan base in the world, is considered to have great potential in building diplomacy and inclusivity. However, women’s football still faces various challenges, from access to training to professional career opportunities.
Through Next Goal, this gap is being bridged with a comprehensive approach, covering player development, coaching, and sports governance.
The program targets over 500 direct beneficiaries in Indonesia with three main focuses:
First, Player Development. A total of 400 young female players will participate in a Grassroots Festival. Additionally, 19 players from the Women’s U-17 National Team will have the opportunity to attend a training camp with coaches from France, including improvements in technical, tactical, and mental aspects.
Second, Coach Training. A total of 60 coaches will undergo training in Indonesia, while five selected coaches will participate in an immersive program in France with a modern and inclusive methodological approach.
Third, Sports Management and Governance. The program also includes training for 25 female participants in Jakarta, focusing on leadership, administration, and the structure of women’s football competitions.
The Next Goal initiative is a continuation of the Bola d’Or Indonesia program launched in 2024. That program focused on scouting young talent through scholarships and elite training, paving the way for broader cooperation between the two countries.
Now, the cooperation is expanding from mere talent identification towards strengthening the football system as a whole.
As part of the program’s implementation, a Coaching Clinic was held on April 11-12, 2026, at Sidolig Field, Bandung. The activity involved experienced coaches from a French football academy.
A number of players also attended to provide inspiration, including Zahra Muzdalifah, Syafia Chorlienka, Laita Roati, and Persib Bandung player Layvin Kurzawa.
This program is considered a major step in the development of national women’s football.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity. The coaches gain knowledge directly from coaches who have trained world-class players like Kylian Mbappé,” said one official.
It was added that 30 players from the Women’s U-17 National Team will also be sent to France for training at the FFF national training center in Clairefontaine in May 2026.
This program is seen as part of sports diplomacy with long-term impact.
“We want to support the development of women’s football and help realize the dreams of young players in Indonesia,” a representative stated.
Meanwhile, Layvin Kurzawa expressed his enthusiasm for seeing the development of women’s football in Indonesia and opened the opportunity to contribute further.
“I am very happy to see young female players playing football and enjoying the game,” he said.
In addition to training and workshops, the program is also directed towards preparing for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the FFF and Garuda Academy.
Through Next Goal, Indonesia and France hope to build a stronger foundation for women’s football, enabling it to compete at regional and international levels in the coming years.
Former Regional Secretary of Bandung City,
