Dean James has been named to the Timnas Indonesia 23-player squad by head coach John Herdman for the upcoming FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, returning to the international setup after missing matches due to administrative hurdles earlier in the year, according to reports from Bola.net and Voetbalprimeur.
Dean James Returns to Timnas Indonesia Squad After Passport Gate Resolution
The 26-year-old Go Ahead Eagles left-back returns to international duty following a turbulent period in April 2026, when his club NAC Breda challenged his nationality status over work permit regulations. According to source reporting, the administrative dispute temporarily sidelined several naturalized players for Indonesia and Curaçao before authorities cleared James to play without further restrictions. James missed four official matches under Herdman—including March FIFA Series games against St. Kitts and Nevis and Bulgaria, alongside June FIFA Matchdays against Oman and Mozambik—before receiving his latest call-up.
FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 Ambitions and Playing on Home Soil
The inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 runs from September 24 to October 5, 2026, with matches taking place in Jakarta and Bandung as part of Division 1, according to tournament schedules outlined by Flashscore.co.uk and Bola.net. Speaking to Voetbalprimeur after his club’s 1-1 Eredivisie draw against NEC Nijmegen, James expressed relief at returning to the squad. “First of all, just because of being called up, I am grateful for that. And of course playing for 280 million people. It is something… that I actually cannot describe,” James said, as quoted by Voetbalprimeur and Bola.net. He added that he aims to help the squad bring home a trophy.
Did you know? The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 features teams from across Southeast Asia alongside invited international participants, with Indonesia hosting the Division 1 fixtures across venues in Jakarta and Bandung.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 take place?
According to official tournament details, the competition runs from September 24 to October 5, 2026.
Which club does Dean James play for?
Dean James plays as a left-back for Eredivisie side Go Ahead Eagles, as reported by Bola.net.
Why did Dean James miss previous matches for Indonesia?
According to source reports, James missed prior fixtures due to an administrative passport review involving his club NAC Breda that has since been resolved.
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