The Indonesian national football team will field a squad composed of a combination of local players and diaspora who play in domestic competitions or the Super League for the 2026 AFF Championship. According to Sumardji, Chairman of the National Team Agency (BTN), the decision stems from scheduling conflicts that make calling up players from abroad difficult.
Why is Indonesia excluding overseas-based players for the 2026 AFF Championship?
The primary barrier to selecting overseas players is the timing of the 2026/2027 season preparations. Sumardji confirmed on July 3, 2026, that the tournament’s schedule, running from July 24 to August 26, 2026, overlaps with the time players abroad are preparing for their seasons. The national team has opted to prioritize the best potential players competing in the national league.
The 2026 AFF Championship features Indonesia in Group A alongside Vietnam, Timor Leste, Kamboja, and Singapore. The team is looking to secure the trophy.
How does the PSSI view the importance of the AFF Championship?
Despite criticism from segments of the fanbase who label the tournament as a “second-tier” event, the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) maintains that the competition is a significant milestone. Sumardji explicitly rejected the “ecek-ecek” (insignificant) or “ciki” (cheap) labels often used by netizens. He emphasized that the tournament serves as a vital challenge to break the country’s historical trophy drought, noting that Indonesia has yet to win the championship since the nation’s independence.
What is the strategy for the upcoming squad formation?
John Herdman is tasked with managing a squad that balances local talent with domestic-based diaspora players. Recent training camps, including sessions held in May, have featured notable figures such as Rayhan Hannan, Cahya Supriadi, Marc Klok, and Thom Haye. These players are expected to anchor the team’s depth. The PSSI plans to hold a follow-up training camp in Bali to finalize the roster before the tournament begins.
Follow official PSSI announcements regarding the Bali training camp to track which domestic players have secured their final spots on the roster.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When does the 2026 AFF Championship take place? The tournament is scheduled for July 24 to August 26, 2026.
- Why aren’t players from foreign leagues joining? Scheduling overlaps with their respective club’s 2026/2027 season preparations make their participation difficult.
- Who is coaching the Indonesian team for this tournament? The squad is under the leadership of John Herdman.
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