John Herdman faces a critical challenge with the Indonesia National Team ahead of the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup. After failing to guide the Garuda Squad past the group stage of the 2026 AFF Cup, Herdman is required to conduct full evaluation and prepare a team capable of competing for the championship title.
The 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup will be held from 24 September to 5 October 2026. Indonesia is placed in Group A alongside Malaysia, Singapore, and Bangladesh.
Former Persija Jakarta player and head coach Isman Jasulmei assessed that Herdman must draw lessons from Indonesia's failure at the 2026 AFF Cup, particularly from the final two matches against Vietnam and Singapore.
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It is no longer time for the learning phase. John Herdman is required to lead the Indonesia National Football Team to win the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup.
FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026: John Herdman Challenged To Lead Indonesia's National Football Team To Win The Championship.
Championship Target: Should John Herdman Completely Overhaul the Indonesia National Team Squad?
Indonesia suffered a 0-3 defeat to Vietnam on 3 August, before drawing 1-1 against Singapore in the final Group A fixture. These results meant Indonesia failed to qualify for the semi-finals.
According to Isman, Herdman must be more meticulous not only when selecting players, but also in determining the right timing to field each individual player.
The abundance of quality players at his disposal must be matched with a clear game structure. Herdman needs proper understanding of each player's characteristics, their most suitable positions, as well as the adjustments that need to be made when match situations do not go according to plan.
In this way, player substitutions are not merely reactive moves, but an integrated part of match strategy.
Wider Player Selection Pool
Football analyst Ronny Pangemanan notes that Herdman's situation ahead of the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup is different compared to when Indonesia competed in the AFF Cup.
According to Ronny, the player pool available for the FIFA ASEAN Cup gives Herdman far wider options. This condition provides the coach with room to prepare a Plan B whenever the primary strategy does not work.
Squad depth also allows Herdman to adjust lineups based on the opposing team's playing characteristics. However, having this large pool of players still requires precise decisions regarding starting lineups, substitute players, and players reserved for upcoming fixtures.
Herdman is currently still finalizing the squad. Injury issues are one of the key factors that must be considered before confirming the players that will represent Indonesia.
Indonesia's Championship Target
The 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup carries significant weight as it is scheduled within the official FIFA international calendar. For this reason, this tournament is not only an opportunity to test the Indonesia National Team's strength, but also a chance for the Garuda Squad to earn results that will impact their FIFA world ranking.
A championship target is considered reasonable given that Indonesia's player quality is now increasingly competitive at the ASEAN level.
For Herdman, the challenge lies in converting this squad depth into a team that has a clear, consistent playing identity.
The failure at the 2026 AFF Cup must be used as evaluation material. The loss against Vietnam and the draw against Singapore have demonstrated the importance of match reading ability, correct player selection, and preparation of tactical alternatives.
If Indonesia is to meet the championship target, Herdman must ensure three elements work in tandem: player selection, game design, and the ability to adjust strategy mid-match.
This discussion regarding the Indonesia National Team's readiness was delivered by Isman Jasulmei and Ronny Pangemanan on the ITSMe podcast, hosted by Gilang Respaty and Raisha at the ITSMe Studio in Sentul, Bogor.
