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PADANG – As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, the Governor of West Sumatra, Mahyeldi, revealed that he already has two favourite teams he plans to support throughout the tournament.

Mahyeldi’s support for Portugal and Spain stems not only from their world-class players but also from both nations’ stance in supporting the struggle of the Palestinian people.

When asked which countries he would root for at the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July, Mahyeldi named Portugal and Spain as his top choices.

“If not Ronaldo, then Lamine Yamal. So it’s between Spain and Portugal,” Mahyeldi told TribunPadang.com after leading the commemoration ceremony of Pancasila Day at the West Sumatra Governor’s Office courtyard on Monday (1 June 2026).

He explained that aside from their exciting players, both Portugal and Spain have demonstrated support for Palestine and its people’s aspirations for independence.

“That’s one of the reasons — because they support Palestine and advocate for its independence,” he said.

Although he has his favourite teams, Mahyeldi believes that the World Cup is more than just a competition to find a winner.

He views the four-yearly event as a valuable opportunity for Indonesians, particularly the younger generation, to learn from the global development of football.

Mahyeldi shared that during his recent Ramadan Safari visits across West Sumatra, he met many children who expressed dreams of becoming professional footballers.

“Many kids want to become football players. It’s an extraordinary dream that we must encourage,” he said.

The governor also welcomed the plan for TVRI to broadcast World Cup matches, saying it would give the public wider access to watch the world’s best teams in action.

He further expressed hope that the tournament could serve as a learning experience for young players, coaches, and football enthusiasts to adopt positive aspects that could help develop Indonesian football.

“We can evaluate how our football is progressing and take inspiration from positive elements seen in participating countries for the advancement of our national football,” Mahyeldi explained.

Beyond education, the governor also highlighted the potential economic benefits arising from the excitement surrounding the 2026 World Cup.

The West Sumatra Provincial Government is planning to organise public viewing events where residents can watch matches together.

According to him, such activities could bring economic benefits to small and medium enterprises.

“Whenever there’s a crowd, there are usually vendors around the venue. That creates economic impact and opportunities for MSMEs. That’s what we’re hoping for,” Mahyeldi stated.

He concluded that the 2026 World Cup should not only provide entertainment for the public but also serve as a medium for learning and boosting the local economy through the various activities that will take place during the tournament.