John Herdman Arrives in Indonesia January 11, Two-Year Contract with the National Team

Viralterkini.id, Jakarta – Chairman of the National Team Agency (BTN) Sumardji confirmed that the new coach of the Indonesian National Team, John Herdman, will arrive in Indonesia in mid-January 2026, to be precise on January 11 or at the latest January 12, following his official appointment by PSSI as head coach of the Garuda squad.

“John Herdman will arrive in Indonesia on January 11. I have just told him to make a release (John Herdman’s inauguration),” said Sumardji when contacted by media crew.

For the contract, Sumardji said PSSI had contracted Herdman for two years.

Regarding targets, he doesn’t want to talk much. However, the target of qualifying for the 2030 World Cup remains the main thing.

“Don’t talk about targets yet targets. Just working is not targets, that’s how it is. What is certain is that our target in 2030 is to qualify for the World Cup,” said Sumardji.

On Saturday (3/1/2026), PSSI officially announced John Herdman as the new coach of the Indonesian National Team. The news was reported via the federation’s official website.

PSSI enthusiastically welcomed Herdmann’s presence. His track record is the main reason for this appointment.

He is the only coach in the world who has succeeded in bringing the men’s and women’s national teams from one country, namely Canada, to qualify for the World Cup.

With the Canadian women’s national team, Herdman appeared in the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, and made history by winning two consecutive Olympic bronze medals in 2012 and 2016.

Meanwhile, in the men’s sector, Herdman successfully led Canada to the Qatar 2022 World Cup, a historical moment after 36 years, as well as raising Canada’s FIFA ranking at that time from 77th to 33rd in the world.

In 2026, John Herdman and the Indonesian National Team have a busy agenda awaited. The senior national team will appear in the FIFA Series in Jakarta on FIFA Matchday 23 to 31 March 2026, followed by the FIFA Matchday agenda in June, September, October and November, as well as the 2026 AFF Cup in July.