Indonesia Unveils 26-Man Squad for FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 as Herdman Makes Bold Changes

The Indonesian Football Association has officially announced the 26 players selected by head coach John Herdman for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. With the tournament included in the official FIFA calendar, Herdman has taken the opportunity to build a squad heavily featuring Indonesian players based overseas. The selection reflects his intention to raise the team's overall level and provide greater depth across several positions as Indonesia prepares for another major regional challenge.

One of the biggest talking points is the absence of two established figures from the previous AFF Cup campaign, Rizky Ridho and Nadeo Argawinata. Ridho, who also served as vice-captain, has been left out alongside goalkeeper Nadeo as part of a significant squad reshuffle. Their omission is understood to be connected to performance evaluations from the previous tournament, particularly during Indonesia's defeat against Vietnam and the draw with Singapore, when both players were considered below their best.

Herdman's selection appears to be focused on refreshing the squad while rewarding players whose recent performances have been trending upward. The defensive unit includes established overseas-based names such as Jay Idzes, Kevin Diks, Calvin Verdonk, Justin Hubner, Dean James, Elkan Baggott and Nathan Tjoe-A-On, alongside experienced domestic-based players including Sandy Walsh, Shayne Pattynama, Dony Tri Pamungkas and Eliano Reijnders. Emil Audero and Maarten Paes headline the goalkeeping options, with Persebaya goalkeeper Ernando Ari completing the trio.

The midfield department features Thom Haye, Joey Pelupessy, Ricky Kambuaya and Ivar Jenner, giving Herdman a blend of experience, physical presence and technical ability. The attacking group is equally intriguing, with Ole Romeny, Miliano Jonathans, Luke Vickery, Mitchell Baker, Adrian Wibowo, Ragnar Oratmangoen, Beckham Putra and Marselino Ferdinan all included. The combination of overseas-based talent and players from leading Indonesian clubs gives the squad a wider range of tactical possibilities.

Overall, the 26-man roster signals a new direction under Herdman, with competition for places likely to be stronger than in previous tournaments. The decisions to leave out familiar names such as Ridho and Nadeo underline the coach's willingness to make difficult changes based on his assessment of current form. With a large contingent playing abroad and several promising attacking options available, Indonesia will enter the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 with a squad designed to compete at a higher level and challenge for regional success.