The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has officially appointed John Herdman as head coach of the national team.
The 50-year-old strategist is no stranger to long-term construction projects. He is considered a "World Cup architect", and also the only person in the world who has brought both the men's and women's teams of the same country to win tickets to the FIFA World Cup finals.
With the Canadian women's team, Herdman participated in two World Cups in 2007 and 2011, and also made a big impression with two consecutive Olympic bronze medals in London 2012 and Rio 2016.
When moving to lead the men's national team, he continued to write history by helping Canada win a ticket to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar - for the first time in 36 years. During this period, Canada also improved its FIFA ranking from 77 to 33 in the world.
PSSI appreciates Herdman's diverse profile and ability to build a sustainable foundation. Besides top-notch experience, he is also expected to create changes in organizational thinking, improve discipline and shape the clear identity of the Indonesian team.
Right in 2026, Herdman will face a tight schedule. Indonesia is expected to enter the FIFA Days series from March 23rd to 31st, followed by training camps in June, September, October and November, before heading towards the ASEAN Cup 2026.
With a captain who has fought in the World Cup and Olympics, Indonesian football is sending a strong message. They will not want to limit their ambitions in the region. The Herdman era is expected to be a turning point for Indonesia to reach out to the continent.
