JAKARTA – John Herdman, the newly appointed head coach of the Indonesia national football team, has officially arrived in the country on Saturday, January 10, 2026. His formal introduction to the public is scheduled for a press conference in Jakarta on Monday, January 12, at 09:00 AM WIB.
The PSSI (Football Association of Indonesia) has confirmed that the eagerly anticipated press conference will be broadcast live, allowing fans to follow the event through the official YouTube channels of PSSI and the Indonesia national team.
Herdman’s appointment as head coach for the Garuda squad was officially announced last Saturday, a move that the PSSI heralds as the dawn of a new era for national football. This strategic decision underscores the federation’s ambition to elevate Indonesian football on the global stage.
The 50-year-old English tactician brings an impressive track record, precisely what the PSSI sought in their quest to qualify Indonesia for the prestigious FIFA World Cup. Notably, Herdman stands as the only coach globally to have successfully guided both a nation’s men’s and women’s national teams to the World Cup finals, a testament to his unique coaching prowess.
His distinguished career includes leading the New Zealand women’s national team to the World Cup tournaments in 2007 and 2011. He further cemented his legacy by securing two consecutive Olympic bronze medals with the Football Ferns in 2012 and 2016, marking a historic period for New Zealand women’s football.
On the men’s side, Herdman famously spearheaded Canada’s qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, a monumental achievement for the North American nation after a 36-year absence from the global showpiece. This remarkable feat also saw Canada’s FIFA ranking soar dramatically, climbing from 77th to an impressive 33rd worldwide.
Following his official appointment, Coach Herdman and the Garuda squad are set to kick off their international campaign in the FIFA Series. These matches will be held at the iconic Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium during the FIFA Match Day window from March 23-31, 2026. The busy schedule for Indonesia will then continue with additional FIFA Match Days in June, September, October, and November, culminating in their participation in the AFF Cup 2026, which is slated to commence on July 25.
Summary
John Herdman, the newly appointed head coach of the Indonesia national football team, arrived in the country on January 10, 2026. He is scheduled for a formal public introduction via a live-streamed press conference in Jakarta on January 12. The PSSI expects Herdman’s appointment to mark a new era aimed at elevating Indonesian football and achieving FIFA World Cup qualification.
The 50-year-old English tactician brings a unique track record, having guided both men’s and women’s national teams to World Cup finals, including Canada’s historic qualification for the 2022 tournament. His tenure with the Garuda squad will commence with the FIFA Series in March 2026, followed by several FIFA Match Days and participation in the AFF Cup 2026.