Indonesia appoints coach John Herdman: A World Cup boost and ambition to dethrone the Vietnamese national team.

The official appointment of John Herdman as head coach by the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) has created an unprecedented wave of expectations in the archipelago. With an impressive resume that included leading the Canadian national team to the World Cup, this strategist is seen as the "key" to Indonesia realizing its ambition to reach continental prominence and shift the balance of power in Southeast Asia.

A declaration of Indonesian football's ambitions.

Immediately after the announcement, Indonesian football forums exploded with thousands of positive interactions. Unlike previous personnel changes, John Herdman's arrival was seen by fans as a strong statement about the professionalism and ambition of PSSI (Indonesian Football Association). Instead of continuing to experiment with short-term solutions, Indonesian football is moving towards a more systematic and high-level team building process.

Notably, the goal of overthrowing Thailand's dominance and surpassing Vietnam's team was the most hotly debated topic among fans. Many supporters believed that with his experience on the world stage, Herdman would help the "Garuda" team overcome their apprehension towards major regional rivals. A large segment of fans believed that Indonesia now had the potential to stand on equal footing with, or even defeat, their long-standing rivals with a pragmatic and scientific playing style.

The philosophy of the man who changed the history of Canadian soccer.

John Herdman is no stranger to international football experts. He was the chief architect behind the resounding success of the Canadian national team, transforming an average squad into a tenacious and disciplined team at the 2022 World Cup. This is precisely what Indonesian football is yearning for: a stable tactical system to connect high-quality naturalized players with local talents.

Beyond his professional expertise, Herdman is also renowned for his ability to build a winning culture and foster unity in the locker room. In a context where the Indonesian national team possesses many outstanding individuals but sometimes lacks cohesion, the arrival of a psychology and tactical expert like Herdman is expected to create a strong, unified force.

Challenges and the roadmap towards the 2026 World Cup

Despite the prevailing excitement, experts remain cautious in their assessments. Some fans realistically believe that success cannot come immediately, especially given the unique characteristics of Southeast Asian football. However, overall, this is still considered Indonesia's most promising football project in decades.

From PSSI's perspective, the organization expects the new coach to make the most of the 2026 schedule, including the ASEAN Cup and FIFA Days matches, to shape the team's personnel. The ultimate goal is not just regional titles, but a ticket to the World Cup – a dream that is becoming more realistic than ever under John Herdman's leadership. With the guidance of a world-class strategist, Indonesian football is eager to escape the shadow of being a "runner-up" and reach for the international stage.