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PALANGKA RAYA – As the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws near, anticipation for TVRI’s live broadcast is building. Among students at Muhammadiyah University of Palangka Raya (UMPR), discussions about favourite teams and players are lively — with Japan emerging as a top pick.

The students were interviewed after attending a public lecture at the Palangka Raya City Council office on Tuesday (2 June 2026). Despite differing team loyalties, they shared equal enthusiasm for the world’s biggest football tournament.

“We’re excited and passionate about supporting the teams we’re proud of,” said Alfat, speaking on behalf of his friends.

Alfat himself is rooting for Spain, a team he has followed since his primary school days. He is particularly eager to watch Spain’s young star Lamine Yamal in action at the 2026 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Azmi and Davin are united in their support for Portugal. For them, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the main reason they continue to follow the Portuguese national team in international competitions.

Elsewhere, Ridho is backing Argentina due to his admiration for Lionel Messi, while Alfin favours France led by Kylian Mbappe. Kahayani, on the other hand, is cheering for Brazil, synonymous with Neymar Jr.

Despite their different favourites, the students all agreed on one thing when it came to supporting an Asian team at the 2026 World Cup.

When asked which Asian nation they were backing, they unanimously named Japan as their top choice.

According to them, Japan has consistently performed at the international level and often surprised world football giants in previous tournaments.

They jokingly added that their allegiance might change if Indonesia were to qualify for the World Cup finals.

“If Indonesia plays, of course we’ll support Indonesia,” they said with laughter.

In addition to discussing their favourite teams, the students also revealed plans to watch the World Cup matches together. They prefer watching in groups rather than alone.

They believe group viewing sessions are more exciting, bringing together fans of various teams in one place.

As such, they hope more public viewing events will be held in Palangka Raya, including open-air screenings at locations like Bundaran Besar.

“Watching outdoors would be much more thrilling — livelier and with a stronger World Cup atmosphere,” said Alfat.

With only days to go before the World Cup kick-off, conversations among students about Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar Jr, and Lamine Yamal are heating up. Despite supporting different teams, they all hope the quadrennial tournament delivers exciting and surprising matches for football fans worldwide.

Japan Squad

Goalkeepers: Tomoki Hayakawa (Kashima Antlers), Keisuke Osako (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Aya Suzuka (Parma Calcio).

Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Shogo Taniguchi (Sint-Truiden), Ko Itakura (Ajax), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax), Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich), Ayumu Seko (Le Havre AC), Yukinari Sugawara (Werder Bremen), Junosuke Suzuki (FC Copenhagen).

Midfielders: Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Junya Ito (Genk), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), Koki Ogawa (NEC Nijmegen), Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ao Tanaka (Leeds United), Kaishu Sano (Mainz 05), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad).

Forwards: Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord), Keito Nakamura (Stade de Reims), Ito Suzuki (SC Freiburg), Kento Shiode (Wolfsburg), Keisuke Goto (Sint-Truiden).

Manager: Hajime Moriyasu.

2026 World Cup Schedule Highlights

Thursday, 11 June
Group A: Mexico vs South Africa, kick-off 23:00 – Mexico City, Mexico

Friday, 12 June
Group A: South Korea vs Czech Republic, kick-off 06:00 – Zapopan, Mexico
Group B: Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, kick-off 23:00 – Toronto, Canada

Saturday, 13 June
Group D: USA vs Paraguay, kick-off 05:00 – Los Angeles, USA
Group B: Qatar vs Switzerland, kick-off 23:00 – Santa Clara, USA

Sunday, 14 June
Group C: Brazil vs Morocco, kick-off 02:00 – New Jersey, USA
Group C: Haiti vs Scotland, kick-off 05:00 – Foxborough, USA
Group D: Australia vs Turkey, kick-off 08:00 – Vancouver, Canada
Group E: Germany vs Curaçao, kick-off 21:00 – Houston, USA

Monday, 15 June
Group F: Netherlands vs Japan, kick-off midnight – Arlington, USA
Group E: Ivory Coast vs Ecuador, kick-off 03:00 – Philadelphia, USA
Group F: Sweden vs Tunisia, kick-off 06:00 – Guadalupe, Mexico
Group H: Spain vs Cape Verde, kick-off 20:00 – Atlanta, USA
Group G: Belgium vs Egypt, kick-off 23:00 – Seattle, USA

... [The remainder of the schedule continues as in the original, preserving all match dates, groups, times, and venues through to the final on Sunday, 19 July, where the winners of Match 101 and Match 102 will compete at 23:00 in New Jersey, USA.]

(Arai)