Indonesia Should Recognise Israel? The Jokowi’s Last Dance to Host the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup

While Indonesia's bid to host the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup ultimately fell through, it is crucial to scrutinise President Jokowi's final attempts to persuade the Indonesian public. Jokowi's stance on Israel's involvement in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup has sparked speculation about Indonesia's position on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Through an examination of President Jokowi's discourse, this research seeks to uncover the underlying political narratives, diplomatic strategies, and symbolic expressions that shape Indonesia's response to this issue. Using discourse analysis, this article posits that President Jokowi utilises diverse linguistic and rhetorical devices to construct his response, navigating the delicate equilibrium between securing global recognition through hosting the event and reiterating Indonesia's firm support for Palestinian independence. This study found that Jokowi's political symbolism is ineffective in gaining international and domestic support. This research contributes to the broader discourse on sports politicization especially on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.