January 3, 2026 | 05:49 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has officially appointed John Herdman as the coach of the Indonesian national team. In addition to coaching the senior team, the British coach has been tasked with leading the U-23 national team.
Herdman is replacing Patrick Kluivert, who was dismissed by the PSSI on October 24, 2025. Patrick was deemed to have failed to meet the target of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
PSSI Chair Erick Thohir regards Herdman's appointment as a sign of the start of a new chapter in national football. "This is a moment where the PSSI and Indonesian football enter a new era, led by a coach with the experience of qualifying for the World Cup," said Erick in an official statement on Saturday, January 3, 2026, as quoted from Antara.
According to Erick, President Prabowo Subianto's support is an important impetus for the PSSI to make comprehensive improvements, especially in strengthening the foundation of youth development. Herdman's appointment is described as the first step in a more aggressive national team achievement program towards the World Cup.
"I am pleased with the direction of Bapak President, who asks us to try again, to create a more aggressive program. Today, we are restarting the national team achievement program towards the World Cup by appointing John Herdman, who is indeed qualified for it," said Erick.
The 50-year-old coach had reportedly turned down an offer to coach Honduras's national team, choosing to prioritize Indonesia instead. PSSI considers Herdman to have the experience and capacity to carry out long-term projects with the Garuda Muda team, including players such as Jay Idzes and others.
Herdman is known as the only coach to have successfully led the men's and women's national teams of one country to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. With the Canadian women's national team, he qualified the team for the 2007 and 2011 World Cups and secured two consecutive Olympic bronze medals in 2012 and 2016.
In the men's category, Herdman guided Canada to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, their first appearance in the event after a 36-year absence, with Alphonso Davies as a key player.
In 2026, Herdman will face a busy schedule with the Indonesian national team. The Garuda is scheduled to participate in the FIFA Series on FIFA Match Days from March 23 to 31 at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, and then play on FIFA Match Days in June, September, October, and November. The Indonesian national team will also compete in the 2026 AFF Cup, scheduled to begin on July 25.
Meanwhile, as the coach of the U-23 national team, Herdman will lead the Young Garuda at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, which will take place from September 19, 2026, onwards.
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