Gruev had been selected for March’s internationals but withdrew citing personal reasons. “These are my personal reasons and I hope you will respect my opinion that I will not comment on this topic anymore.” He told fakti.bg.
The fixture, played on Friday morning in Indonesia, opened Bulgaria’s schedule in the 2026 FIFA Series.
The emphatic scoreline was the nation’s biggest win of the 21st century.
Gruev, 25, has 27 caps and was recently named Bulgaria’s 2025 Player of the Year.