Indonesia national team coach John Herdman has begun calling players for a training camp from May 26-30, 2026, in Jakarta ahead of the 2026 AFF Cup. Four Persija Jakarta players—Fajar Fathurrahman, Eksel Runtukahu, Shayne Pattynama, and Witan Sulaeman—are included in the initial list per a PSSI letter dated April 22, 2026. The absence of Rizky Ridho has drawn public attention.
PSSI issued an official letter numbered 1804/AGB/309/IV-2026 on April 22, 2026, summoning four Persija Jakarta players to the Indonesia national team's training camp (TC). The players called up are Fajar Fathurrahman, Eksel Runtukahu, Shayne Pattynama, and Witan Sulaeman. Persija's management has confirmed the call-ups.
The absence of 24-year-old defender Rizky Ridho, who has 47 caps for the national team, has become the main focus. No official explanation has been provided yet by PSSI or Persija regarding his exclusion. Jordi Amat is also not in the initial list, signaling a new approach by coach John Herdman in squad selection.
Eksel Runtukahu, a 27-year-old striker, receives his first senior national team call-up after an impressive performance in the 2025/2026 Super League, including two goals in Persija's 3-0 win over Persebaya Surabaya, totaling six goals and three assists this season. The camp is projected as the initial selection phase for the 2026 AFF Cup, which is not on the FIFA calendar, so diaspora players like Emil Audero, Jay Idzes, and Calvin Verdonk may be unavailable.
Herdman's strategy reflects squad rotation to maintain fitness and test bench players. Potential naturalization candidates like Ciro Alves and David da Silva cannot yet be called as their citizenship processes are incomplete, though they meet residency requirements.
