John Herdman confirms Indonesia team without European players for AFF Cup 2026

July 10, 2026

Indonesia national team coach John Herdman confirmed the Garuda squad will be without players from Europe at the AFF Cup 2026 due to FIFA regulations.

Herdman made the statement during a training camp at Bali United Training Center on 10 July 2026. He said European clubs respect the FIFA international window so no players were released.

The squad will rely on players from the Indonesian Super League. Herdman praised the support of clubs such as Persib, Persija and Bali United that cooperatively released their best players.

Indonesia will also be without naturalisation candidate Luke Vickery after Macarthur FC refused to grant permission. The tournament is scheduled for 24 July to 26 August 2026 with Indonesia in Group A alongside Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia and Timor Leste.

Abin da mutane ke faɗa

Discussions on X highlight FIFA calendar constraints preventing European-based players from joining Indonesia's AFF Cup 2026 squad, viewing it as a chance for local and domestic talents; reactions range from neutral explanations to positive emphasis on fair competition and opportunities for young players.

John Herdman’s plan for the AFF Hyundai Cup 2026:

• Additional training in May as part of the selection process.

• Europe-based players will not be called up as the tournament is not on the FIFA calendar, making club release difficult.

(vivagoal)
📷: @aseanutdfc pic.twitter.com/iw41CDaNMc

— Football Indonesia (@ftblindonesia) 27 Maris, 2026

John Herdman menyebut FIFA Series 2026 dan Piala AFF sebagai ajang seleksi skuad Timnas Indonesia menuju Piala Asia. Ia memanfaatkan setiap jendela pertandingan untuk melihat langsung kualitas para pemain.

Ia juga menegaskan akan memberi kesempatan bagi pemain Eropa di FIFA… pic.twitter.com/Fd4aomy1Qa

— Visca Garuda (@ViscaGaruda) 26 Maris, 2026

Tanpa Bintang Eropa di Piala AFF 2026? John Herdman: "Ini Peluang Nyata bagi Pemain Muda!"

Pelatih anyar Timnas Indonesia, John Herdman, memberikan pernyataan realistis terkait komposisi pemain untuk ASEAN Championship (Piala AFF) 2026. Sepertinya, kita tidak akan melihat… pic.twitter.com/UllFJPaotB

— inilahcom (@inilahdotcom) 16 Janairu, 2026

Meski Piala AFF 2026 digelar pada jeda kompetisi Eropa, John Herdman menilai sulit untuk mendatangkan pemain-pemain utama timnas Indonesia.

- Piala AFF di luar kalender FIFA
- Pemain di kompetisi Eropa akan sibuk menjalani pramusim jelang musim baru pic.twitter.com/v7R9EZENId

— GOAL Indonesia (@GOAL_ID) 16 Janairu, 2026

Kyk nya aff gk akan pake pemain abroad deh, asean cup yg full squad

— Tetap Ingin Hidup (@TetapInginHidup) 5 Yuli, 2026

Tushen

• https://www.viva.co.id/bola/1912648-john-herdman-tiba-tiba-singgung-malaysia-usai-bicara-kekuatan-vietnam-ada-apa-dengan-pelatih-timnas-indonesia
• https://www.viva.co.id/bola/1912603-beckham-putra-bongkar-kerasnya-latihan-john-herdman-di-tc-timnas-indonesia-singgung-persaingan-menuju-piala-aff-2026
• https://www.viva.co.id/bola/1912577-john-herdman-pastikan-15-pemain-abroad-eropa-timnas-indonesia-absen-untuk-piala-aff-2026-ini-daftar-lengkapnya