John Herdman has arrived in Indonesia and will be introduced to public Monday

Sunday, 11 January 2026 | 15:26

Author: Respaty Gilang

John Herdman Siap Pimpin Timnas Indonesia

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Source: ITSME

Summary

1. John Herdman arrived in Indonesia on January 10, 2026, as the new head coach of the national team, initiating a new era for Indonesian football.

2. Herdman holds a unique global track record as the only coach to lead both men’s and women’s national teams (New Zealand) to World Cups, alongside winning back-to-back Olympic bronze medals with the women’s squad.

3. His packed schedule with Indonesia includes the FIFA Series in March 2026 (Jakarta), FIFA Match Days in June/September/October/November, and the AFF Cup starting July 25, 2026.

Indonesia's new National Team coach, John Herdman, arrived in Indonesia on Saturday, 10 January 2026. The arrival of the English coach marks the beginning of a new phase for Indonesian football under new leadership in the head coach position.

PSSI confirmed Herdman will be officially introduced to the public through a press conference held in Jakarta on Monday, 12 January 2026, at 09:00 WIB. The event will also be broadcast live via the official PSSI YouTube channel and the Indonesian National Team channel, allowing the national Football public to watch.

PSSI officially announced the appointment of John Herdman as head coach of the Indonesian national team last Saturday. The federation described the decision as the start of a new era, with the ambitious target of making the Garuda squad competitive at the highest level of World Football.

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New Era for the Indonesian National Team

Herdman is considered to have a track record that aligns with PSSI's long-term vision, particularly in the mission to get Indonesia to break into the World Cup. His name is in the elite category due to achievements unmatched by any other coach in the world.

Rare Track Record at World Level

The 50-year-old coach is noted as the only coach capable of leading both the men's and women's national teams of one country to the World Cup. This achievement was a key selling point for Herdman in the eyes of the federation.

With the New Zealand women's national team, Herdman competed in the 2007 and 2011 Women's World Cups. He also made history by securing back-to-back Olympic bronze medals at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Herdman's success continued in the men's sector. He led Canada to qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, a historic achievement after a 36-year absence. This success also significantly boosted Canada's FIFA Ranking, from 77th in the world to breaking into the top 33.

National Team Agenda Under Herdman

After officially taking office, Herdman will immediately face the international agenda with the Indonesian national team. The Garuda squad is scheduled to compete in the Fifa Series tournament held during the FIFA Match Day period, 23–31 March 2026, at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta.

Indonesia's international agenda then continues during the FIFA Match Days in June, September, October, and November. Additionally, the 2026 AFF Cup awaits and is scheduled to start on 25 July.

With a packed schedule and significant challenges ahead, the public now awaits how John Herdman's touch can shape a new identity for the Indonesian national team and elevate national football on the international stage.