For Persebaya Surabaya defender Arief Catur Pamungkas, the 2026 World Cup is not merely a football festival providing pure entertainment. He is utilizing this prestigious tournament as a laboratory to observe technical details and improve his quality of play on the pitch.
Catur's primary focus is on the performance of world-class defenders. He admitted to being greatly inspired by the playing style of French national team defender Jules Koundé. According to him, Koundé possesses complete attributes worthy of emulation, particularly in balancing defensive duties while providing offensive contributions through the fullback role.
Beyond tactics, Catur also highlights the professionalism of top-level international players. He learned a great deal about high discipline in maintaining physical fitness as well as consistency in daily training routines to sustain peak performance throughout the competitive season.
Regarding team preferences, Catur openly supported Germany due to his admiration for their collective playing philosophy that emphasizes short passes. Although 'Der Panzer' was eliminated in the round of 32, he still appreciates the quality of football demonstrated by the nation.
On the other hand, the fierce match between the United States and Turkey, which ended in a 2-3 scoreline, was one of the most memorable matches for Catur. The high intensity and end-to-end action in that game were considered by him as clear proof of why the World Cup remains the most anticipated spectacle for everyone in football.
