The draw in Jakarta last weekend placed Indonesia in Group A alongside defending champions Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia and a qualification winner.
“Indonesia not having won the title yet is great for me, because the opportunity is open,” the 50-year-old English coach said. “If they had won it six times in a row, I wouldn’t feel so comfortable anymore. Being a pioneer in bringing Indonesia into a new era is the driving force. Not just the ASEAN Cup, we haven’t won the Asian Cup and have not qualified for the World Cup.”
John Herdman coaches Canada at the 2022 World Cup. Photo by Reuters |
The 2026 edition marks a significant shift, moving from the winter to a summer schedule from July 24 to Aug. 26.
While organizers hope for full-strength squads, Herdman remains realistic about the availability of his European-based stars during the non-FIFA international break. Key players like Emil Audero (Cremonese), Jay Idzes (Sassuolo), Kevin Diks (Borussia Monchengladbach), Calvin Verdonk (Lille), Joey Pelupessy (Lommel), and Ole Romeny (Oxford United) are unlikely to be released by their clubs during pre-season.
“It’s difficult to say which team are considered stronger in the ASEAN Cup, because you can’t bring in Serie A players to gain an advantage,” Herdman added. “You have to build a squad with depth. The best coaches know how to maximize a player’s potential and use those with the highest motivation.”
According to Herdman, the population of over 280 million people is what attracted him to work in Indonesia. He recalled helping Canada qualify for the 2022 World Cup after a 36-year absence from the top-tier tournament.
“33 million people rejoiced. It’s hard to imagine when it happens in Indonesia. Those are moments that can’t be bought with money or fame,” he added.
Furthermore, Herdman also understands the love of football and the immense expectations of Indonesian fans for their national team. For some, it’s a curse, but for him, it’s a privilege.
Replacing Patrick Kluivert following Indonesia’s exit from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Herdman signed a two-year contract starting in 2026 with an option to extend.. While the upcoming ASEAN Cup is a major test, his contract focuses heavily on the 2027 Asian Cup, with a target of reaching the quarterfinals.
Herdman is credited with reshaping the culture of the Canada national team, contributing to boosting the image of Canadian football both domestically and internationally, laying an important foundation before the country co-hosts the 2026 World Cup. He previously served as head coach of Toronto FC in Major League Soccer (MLS) from 2023 to 2024 before accepting the job at the Indonesia national team.
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