Indonesia Eyes Historic First ASEAN Cup Title Under John Herdman

The Indonesian national team is gearing up for a pivotal year as head coach John Herdman prepares the “Squad Garuda” for a high-stakes run at the 2026 ASEAN Championship. With a history of reaching six finals without ever lifting the trophy, PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir has confirmed that Herdman is focused on bringing the long-awaited title home.

The road to glory begins with a busy schedule. Herdman will lead Indonesia during the upcoming FIFA Matchday from June 1 to June 9, 2026, serving as a final tune-up before the ASEAN Cup 2026 schedule, which runs from July 24 to August 26, 2026.

Indonesia has been placed in a challenging Group A, setting the stage for an intense battle for regional supremacy. The squad will face off against defending champions Vietnam, as well as Singapore and Cambodia. The group will be rounded out by the winner of a play-off match between Brunei Darussalam and Timor Leste. The current Indonesian squad has already drawn attention from rivals like Vietnam, who have acknowledged the team’s formidable strength.

Because the ASEAN Cup does not fall on a FIFA Matchday, Herdman has announced a strategic shift in squad selection. The coach intends to rely heavily on local talent—players currently competing in the Indonesia Super League or within the ASEAN region. This approach provides a unique opportunity to integrate new faces and test the depth of the domestic pool. This shift means the starting XI may look different without the European-based diaspora players, such as Jay Idzes, but the team remains a potent threat.

Herdman has already begun implementing this “local-first” philosophy. On March 27, 2026, Indonesia dominated Saint Kitts and Nevis with a 4-0 victory at the Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno in Jakarta during the FIFA Series 2026. During that match, Herdman gave critical minutes to local standouts including Dony Tri Pamungkas and Beckham Putra Nugraha. Captain Rizky Ridho also impressed, leading the defense to a clean sheet.

The transition to a local-centric roster could lead to significant changes in the squad, with reports suggesting that current Persib players could be rotated out to make room for new stars as Herdman optimizes the roster for the opening match.

As the competition heats up across Southeast Asia, Indonesia enters the tournament with a clear objective: break the cycle of near-misses and finally secure the ASEAN Cup trophy.