FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026: John Herdman Will Soon Announce the Indonesia National Football Team Squad

John Herdman has entered the final stage of finalising the Indonesia national football team squad for the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup. The English head coach confirmed he already holds an almost complete outline of the player shortlist, but the official squad announcement has been delayed due to multiple injury concerns.

The 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup will run from 24 September to 5 October. Indonesia will host all Division 1 fixtures, with matches scheduled at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK) in Jakarta, and Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung Regency.

With only days left until the tournament commences, Herdman verified that the player selection process has reached its final phase.

"We are close. We are very, very close to announcing the squad," stated Herdman during a press appearance in Jakarta on Monday.

Herdman had already settled on the core composition of his intended squad, however fitness developments affecting multiple players over recent days have forced him to conduct additional re-evaluations before confirming the final roster.

The latest fitness concern surrounds Indonesia national team captain Jay Idzes. The Sassuolo defender sustained a left thigh injury during his club's dramatic 3-2 league victory over Juventus in the Italian Serie A.

Idzes suffered the thigh issue and was substituted off in the 81st minute of the match. Sassuolo head coach Alberto Aquilani brought in Croatian defender Duje Caleta-Car as his replacement.

Idzes' condition is being closely monitored given his vital role in the Garuda backline. Herdman is waiting for further medical updates on the player before formally locking in the tournament squad.

"We actually already had a very clear picture of this squad mapped out, but a string of injuries from the last few days have created obstacles. That means we first need to assess the status of two or three players from this past weekend's matches, only then we can finalise everything," he explained.

Alongside Idzes, multiple other players originally projected for the squad are also sidelined with injuries. PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir confirmed three players have been ruled out entirely from the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup: Adrian Wibowo, Miliano Jonathans, and Mees Hilgers.

Marselino Ferdinan is also likely to join the list of unavailable players. The Indonesia international midfielder completed knee surgery in Spain last month and remains in an extended rehabilitation period.

Herdman has publicly stated Indonesia's explicit target for the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup is to win the tournament. He emphasised that home advantage should not only amount to favourable match atmosphere.

"We carry one clear vision into this tournament: we are here to win the FIFA ASEAN Cup. That is our mission. This is also how we honour the ambition of this organisation that entrusted us with this opportunity. The time is now," said Herdman.

The 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup marks a defining challenge for Herdman's tenure building the Indonesia national programme. After overseeing multiple training camps and international fixtures with the Garuda squad, this tournament presents the 50-year-old coach with his first opportunity to claim a senior international title.

Indonesia will compete in Division 1 Group A alongside Malaysia, Singapore, and Bangladesh. As the opening match draws near, public attention is now fully focused on the final squad list Herdman will confirm.

The squad announcement will form one of the final steps in Indonesia's tournament preparations. Herdman has already established the core framework of his team.