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PADANG – The Governor of West Sumatra, Mahyeldi, has expressed his support for Portugal and Spain as his favourite teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing both countries’ consistent stance in supporting Palestine’s independence.

Humanitarian and geopolitical factors were the main reasons behind his choice, alongside his admiration for the skills of the world’s football superstars.

Governor Mahyeldi stated his support for Portugal and Spain because of their commitment to Palestine, ahead of the tournament that will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026.

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

According to him, besides having exciting players to watch, both nations have shown their support for Palestine and the struggle for its people’s independence.

“That’s one of the reasons — they support Palestine and its independence,” he explained.

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

He stated that the four-yearly tournament is an 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, many children expressed their dreams of becoming professional footballers.

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

Mahyeldi welcomed the plan for TVRI to broadcast the World Cup, as it would provide broader access for the public to watch matches featuring the world’s best teams.

He hopes this opportunity can be used by young players, coaches, and football enthusiasts to study positive aspects that can be applied to the development of Indonesian football.

“We can evaluate how our football is progressing. Then, we can adopt positive things from other participating countries to improve Indonesian football,” he noted.

Beyond being an educational opportunity, Mahyeldi also sees economic potential arising from the enthusiasm surrounding the 2026 World Cup.

The West Sumatra provincial government is even planning to organise public viewing events that residents can join together.

According to him, such activities could generate positive economic impacts for small and medium-sized enterprises.

“Whenever there’s a crowd, there are usually vendors selling nearby. That will create economic activity and opportunities for MSMEs. That’s what we hope for,” Mahyeldi said.

He hopes that the 2026 World Cup will not only provide entertainment for the public but also serve as a platform for learning and stimulate the local economy through various activities that emerge during the tournament.