A New Chapter for the Garuda
The 2026 ASEAN Championship, formerly known as the AFF Cup, officially commenced on July 24, 2026, marking the start of a month-long regional football spectacle. Indonesia enters the tournament with renewed ambition, having appointed John Herdman as head coach. The team is currently chasing its first-ever regional title after finishing as the tournament runner-up on six previous occasions.
Herdman has finalized a 26-man squad that blends seasoned international experience with emerging talent. The selection features familiar faces such as captain Marc Klok, defender Jordi Amat, midfielder Thom Haye, and goalkeeper Nadeo Argawinata. The squad also integrates rising stars like Marselino Ferdinan and Beckham Putra, alongside new additions to Indonesia’s top-flight Super League, including Sandy Walsh, Ragnar Oratmangoen, and Tim Geypens.
Squad Composition and Strategy
The roster demonstrates a strong reliance on domestic talent, with 24 of the 26 selected players currently competing in Indonesia’s Super League. Only two players are based overseas: defender Justin Hubner (Fortuna Sittard, Netherlands) and newly naturalized forward Mitchell Baker (Vermont Green FC, USA). This concentration of domestic players reflects a strategic focus on cohesion and familiarity under Herdman’s new tactical framework.
Tournament Stakes and Group Stage
Indonesia is positioned in Group A, alongside Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste. The group stage format requires each team to play four matches, split between two home and two away fixtures. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, which, along with the final, will be contested in a two-legged format.
The Garuda are set to open their campaign against Cambodia at Pakansari Stadium on July 27. Following this, the team will face Timor-Leste in Chonburi, Thailand, on July 31, host Vietnam on August 3, and conclude the group stage away against Singapore at Jalan Besar Stadium on August 7. The knockout stages are scheduled to run from August 15, with the final tournament decider taking place on August 26.