Jakarta – Indonesia national team head coach John Herdman has announced a 41-player provisional squad for the upcoming FIFA Series 2026, scheduled to grab place from March 23 to 31 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. The announcement, made on Monday, March 9, marks Herdman’s first major squad selection since taking the helm of the Indonesian team. The provisional list includes a mix of established stars and emerging talents, signaling a blend of experience and potential as Indonesia prepares to host the tournament.
Indonesia will kick off the FIFA Series against Saint Kitts and Nevis on March 27, with Bulgaria and the Solomon Islands also participating in the four-team competition. The tournament provides a crucial opportunity for Herdman to assess his players ahead of future qualifying matches. The winners of the opening matches will compete for the championship on March 30, while the losing teams will battle for third place on the same day.
A notable aspect of Herdman’s squad is the inclusion of several players currently competing abroad. Goalkeepers Emil Audero, who plays for UC Cremonese and Maarten Paes of AFC Ajax have both been called up. The return of Elkan Baggott, a defender currently with Ipswich Town, is also a significant development, particularly given reports of a previous strained relationship with former national team coach Shin Tae-yong. The inclusion of these overseas-based players underscores Herdman’s commitment to drawing on talent from across the globe.
The squad also features players from the ongoing Super League 2025/2026 season, including Cahya Supriadi, who has transitioned from the Indonesia U23 team to the senior squad, and Victor Dethan of PSM Makassar. This demonstrates Herdman’s intention to integrate promising domestic players into the national team setup.
Goalkeepers and Defensive Lineup
Herdman has selected five goalkeepers for the provisional squad: Maarten Paes, Emil Audero, Nadeo Argawinata (Borneo FC), Cahya Supriadi (PSIM Yogyakarta), and Ernando Ari (Persebaya Surabaya). The defensive line features 12 players, including Jay Idzes (US Sassuolo), Kevin Diks (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Dean James (Go Ahead Eagles), and the returning Elkan Baggott (Ipswich Town). Justin Hubner (Fortuna Sittard) and Nathan Tjoe-A-On (Willem II) also make the cut, providing further depth and competition in the backline.
Midfield and Attack
The midfield boasts 13 players, including Calvin Verdonk, Joey Pelupessy, Ivar Jenner, Jordi Amat, and Marc Klok. The attacking options are equally robust, with 11 forwards selected, including Ole Romeny, Ragnar Oratmangoen, Ramadhan Sananta, and Stefano Lilipaly. Notably, Excelsior’s Miliano Jonathans has been included despite reportedly nursing an injury.
Squad List in Full
Here’s a breakdown of the 41-player squad announced by John Herdman:
- Kiper: Emil Audero (UC Cremonese), Maarten Paes (AFC Ajax), Nadeo Argawinata (Borneo FC), Cahya Supriadi (PSIM Yogyakarta), Ernando Ari (Persebaya Surabaya)
- Bek: Jay Idzes (US Sassuolo), Kevin Diks (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Dean James (Go Ahead Eagles), Elkan Baggott (Ipswich Town), Justin Hubner (Fortuna Sittard), Nathan Tjoe-A-On (Willem II), Dony Tri Pamungkas, Rizky Ridho, Sandy Walsh, Fajar Fathurrahman, Muhammad Ferrari, Yance Sayuri
- Gelandang: Calvin Verdonk, Joey Pelupessy, Eliano Reijnders, Ivar Jenner, Jordi Amat, Marc Klok, Ricky Kambuaya, Witan Sulaeman, Egy Maulana Vikri, Tim Geypens, Arkhan Fikri, Ezra Walian, Victor Dethan
- Penyerang: Miliano Jonathans, Ole Romeny, Ragnar Oratmangoen, Beckham Putra, Mauro Zijlstra, Ramadhan Sananta, Yakob Sayuri, Adrian Wibowo, Hokky Caraka, Jens Raven, Stefano Lilipaly
Herdman emphasized that the list remains provisional and that the squad will be further evaluated before the final team is determined. This allows for flexibility and the opportunity to assess player form and fitness in the lead-up to the tournament. The FIFA Series 2026 represents a significant test for the Indonesian national team and a crucial opportunity for Herdman to lay the foundation for future success.
The coming weeks will be vital as Herdman and his coaching staff work to refine the squad and prepare for the challenges ahead. Fans will be keenly watching to see how the team performs against Saint Kitts and Nevis and how the newly selected players integrate into the national team setup. The tournament promises to be an exciting showcase of Indonesian football and a key stepping stone in the nation’s pursuit of international glory.
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