New coach John Herdman: The mission is to end Indonesia's AFF Cup title drought.
English strategist John Herdman aims to lead the Indonesian national team to their first-ever AFF Cup title, laying the groundwork for a long-term roadmap towards their World Cup dream.
Indonesian football is entering a promising new chapter under the leadership of John Herdman. The English strategist, who was appointed to the hot seat in January, has quickly set ambitious goals to elevate the status of the Indonesian team on the regional and international football map.
Breaking the "curse" at the AFF Cup
The first and biggest challenge this year for the former Canadian national team coach is to lead Indonesia to their first-ever AFF Cup victory. This is a tournament where the Indonesian team has reached the final six times but has always suffered heartbreaking defeats.
In the tournament taking place in July and August, Indonesia is in Group A alongside formidable opponents such as defending champions Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, and the winner of the play-off match between Timor-Leste and Brunei. Herdman expressed particular excitement about the football atmosphere in Southeast Asia, comparing the intensity of the matches to the fiery derbies in his home country of Newcastle.
Building a World Cup identity and roadmap.
Beyond short-term goals, Herdman views the AFF Cup as a crucial stepping stone in the long-term roadmap towards the 2027 Asian Cup and, beyond, the dream of the World Cup. He sees the packed schedule in 2026, including the FIFA Series, friendly matches, and the Asian Games, as a valuable opportunity to assess the squad and discover promising young talents.
Notably, Herdman's career is closely linked to his ability to build teams and create historical milestones. His most notable achievement was leading the Canadian national team back to the World Cup after a 36-year wait. It was this impressive record that convinced PSSI President Erick Thohir to entrust him with the mission of elevating Indonesian football.
Backed by a visionary leader like Erick Thohir and with the potential of a nation of 280 million people, John Herdman believes Indonesia has a chance to achieve great things. Specifically, the strategist asserts that the team is very close to something extraordinary and its mission over the next four years is to build confidence and identity to make the World Cup dream a reality.
