Indonesia will hope to deliver a first-ever ASEAN Hyundai Cup title after a record six runners-up finishes, with coach John Herdman selecting a squad featuring many of the players who went close to taking the nation to a first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance. This is the most complete squad analysis of Indonesia’s 2026 campaign — every player, the expected formation, key tactical principles, and a realistic assessment of their title chances.
John Herdman, the head coach of the Indonesian national team, called up 23 players to a training camp held from 26 to 30 May in Jakarta as part of preparations for the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026. The Canadian coach, who previously managed Canada’s men’s team through their historic 2022 World Cup qualification, brings a high-pressing, tactically flexible approach that is a significant departure from the style of his predecessor Shin Tae-yong.
Herdman noted that “as the head coach and coaching staff, we have witnessed many matches this season and gained an understanding of the potential of domestic players.” The bulk of the squad comes from Liga 1 — a deliberate choice given that the ASEAN Championship falls outside the FIFA international calendar, making overseas clubs reluctant to release players.
Herdman’s tactical signature: A 4-3-3 base that can shift to a 4-2-3-1 in defensive phases. High defensive line, aggressive press from the front three, quick transitions through Marselino Ferdinan and Thom Haye in midfield. The naturalized players (Thom Haye, Marc Klok, Shayne Pattynama) provide the technical backbone that allows Indonesia to compete at a higher level than previous editions.
Herdman is expected to deploy a 4-3-3 with Thom Haye as the defensive midfielder anchoring the midfield, Marc Klok and Marselino Ferdinan as the box-to-box and creative 8s, and a front three built around pace and directness. The full-back roles are crucial — Shayne Pattynama and Pratama Arhan provide width and overlapping runs that stretch opposition defences.
Formation is indicative based on Herdman’s typical setup. Marselino may operate as a no.10 in a 4-2-3-1 variant when Indonesia need more creativity against compact defences like Vietnam.
Herdman’s 23-man provisional squad for the training camp included: Goalkeepers: Cahya Supriadi, Muhammad Riyandi, Nadeo Argawinata. Defenders: Alfahrezzi Buffon, Brian Fatari, Fajar Fathurrahman, Muhammad Ferarri, Shayne Pattynama, Wahyu Prasetyo, Yance Sayuri. Midfielders: Marselino Ferdinan, Arkhan Fikri, Egy Maulana Vikri, Marc Klok, Ricky Kambuaya, Rivaldo Pakpahan, Thom Haye. Forwards: Witan Sulaeman, Saddil Ramdani, Rizky Eka Pratama, Eksel Runtukahu, Jens Raven, Hokky Caraka. The extended 50-man preliminary list also included Rafael Struick, Eliano Reijnders, Ragnar Oratmangoen, Justin Hubner, and Sandy Walsh.
| Player | Club | Age | Caps | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nadeo Argawinata | Bali United | 26 | 42 | No.1 |
Muhammad Riyandi | Persib Bandung | 24 | 18 | Backup |
Cahya Supriadi | PSM Makassar | 22 | 4 | 3rd Choice |
| Player | Club | Age | Caps | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rizky Ridho | Persija Jakarta | 23 | 47 | CB Captain |
Shayne Pattynama NED | Persib Bandung | 26 | 38 | RB / Attack |
Muhammad Ferarri | Persib Bandung | 22 | 25 | CB Starter |
Pratama Arhan | Suwon FC / Persija | 23 | 52 | LB Starter |
Yance Sayuri | PSM Makassar | 24 | 32 | Versatile |
Fajar Fathurrahman | Borneo FC | 28 | 21 | CB Backup |
Brian Fatari | Persib Bandung | 21 | 8 | Squad |
| Player | Club | Age | Caps | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Thom Haye NED | Persib Bandung | 29 | 24 | Anchor DM |
Marc Klok NED | Persib Bandung | 31 | 46 | Box-to-Box |
Marselino Ferdinan SVK | AS Trencin | 20 | 28 | Creative 8 |
Egy Maulana Vikri | Dewa United | 23 | 39 | Alt. CM |
Arkhan Fikri | Arema FC | 20 | 16 | Squad |
Ricky Kambuaya | Dewa United | 27 | 34 | Veteran MF |
Rivaldo Pakpahan | Borneo FC | 24 | 11 | Squad |
| Player | Club | Age | Caps | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jens Raven | Bali United | 20 | 14 | CF Starter |
Saddil Ramdani | Persib Bandung | 25 | 41 | LW Starter |
Witan Sulaeman | Persija Jakarta | 23 | 36 | RW Starter |
Hokky Caraka | PSM Makassar | 20 | 9 | CF Backup |
Eksel Runtukahu | Persija Jakarta | 21 | 7 | Squad |
Rizky Eka Pratama | PSM Makassar | 22 | 6 | Squad |
Marselino Ferdinan, who currently plays for Slovakian club AS Trencin, is the only foreign-based player named in the provisional squad — a significant detail given the non-FIFA calendar constraints. At 20 years old, Marselino is already Indonesia’s most technically gifted midfielder. His ability to play through pressure, deliver incisive passes, and arrive late into shooting positions makes him the creative heartbeat. He will be central to unlocking Vietnam’s compact defence on August 3.
Thom Haye featured in the run to the fourth round of Asia’s preliminaries for the 2026 finals and the experience gained against the continent’s best will give Indonesia confidence. The Dutch-born defensive midfielder is Indonesia’s midfield anchor — his range of passing, defensive positioning, and leadership in the press make him irreplaceable. When Haye plays well, Indonesia control games; when he is absent or off-form, the structure collapses.
Rizky Ridho featured in the run to the fourth round of Asia’s preliminaries for the 2026 finals. The young centre-back has become Indonesia’s most reliable defensive figure. His reading of the game, aerial ability, and composure under pressure are critical against Vietnam’s mobile attack featuring Nguyen Xuan Son. Ridho will need his best tournament to keep Indonesia’s backline intact.
Marc Klok featured in the run to the fourth round of Asia’s preliminaries for the 2026 finals. The naturalised Dutch midfielder brings 46 caps of experience and the league title rhythm from Persib Bandung’s dominant 2025/26 season. Klok’s role is to win second balls, recycle possession quickly, and support Thom Haye’s defensive work. His experience in high-pressure knockout football is invaluable.
This is Indonesia’s best squad in the history of the ASEAN Championship — no previous edition had so many players with top-level Asian qualifiers experience. The path, however, is extremely challenging: Group A requires beating or at minimum drawing with Vietnam (defending champions) and navigating Singapore before even reaching the semi-finals.
If Marselino Ferdinan plays his best football and Thom Haye dominates the midfield battles, Indonesia can genuinely challenge Vietnam on August 3. A win there — at Pakansari in front of 30,000 Bobotoh-level atmosphere — would send a message to the entire tournament. But the question of whether this squad can finally break through the ceiling that seven previous editions have exposed remains the defining story of 2026.