The 2026 President's Cup will serve as Persebaya's stage to chase victories and build the team's foundation.

Persebaya Surabaya approaches the 2026 President's Cup with a target to win every single match. That said, head coach Bernardo Tavares confirmed this pre-season tournament is also part of the process to lay the team's foundations ahead of competing in the 2026/2027 Super League.

For Bajul Ijo, every fixture in the President's Cup is not only about the final result. It also serves as an opportunity to refine playing patterns, strengthen inter-player chemistry, and gauge the overall readiness of the squad.

"We want to win every match, but we also have to be realistic. This team is still very much in the formation stage," stated Tavares in Surabaya on Friday.

Drawn into Group B, Persebaya will face Persija Jakarta for their opening fixture at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium on Sunday evening, 26 July. Alongside Persija, Group B also consists of PSMS Medan and Port FC.

Tavares recognises the tight match schedule will pose a major challenge. For this reason, he has prepared a player rotation strategy to preserve the squad's physical condition, while also giving every registered player an opportunity to showcase their ability.

The tournament's eight-substitution rule will be utilised to maximum effect as part of the squad evaluation process. Tavares explained this competition is the perfect chance to observe every player's progression in a competitive match environment.

"We want to test the capabilities of every player. A number of players are making their first ever competitive appearance in Indonesia, so they will need time to build working chemistry with the rest of the squad," he added.

Beyond individual player performance, Tavares is also prioritising the development of Persebaya's distinct playing identity. He highlighted that defensive transitions, on-pitch coordination, and tactical balance when out of possession all need to be established starting from this pre-season period.

While victory remains the stated target for every fixture, Tavares emphasised that Persebaya's success at the President's Cup will not be judged solely on win totals or winning the overall trophy.

"Our target remains consistent: to keep improving from one match to the next. That will be our core focus throughout this entire tournament," he concluded.