Indonesia aims for first AFF Cup title with intensified preparation

Indonesia’s senior men’s football team is gearing up for the 2026 AFF Championship, scheduled to run from 24 July to 26 August with a home‑and‑away format. The team has been placed in Group A alongside Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia and Timor Leste.

The National Team Board, chaired by Sumardji, has launched a strict preparation programme, stressing that the nation has never lifted the AFF trophy since the tournament began in 1996 and that a comprehensive training regime is essential to seize the opportunity. Goalkeeper Cahya Supriadi echoed the ambition, stating that the squad’s target is to become champion for the first time. He highlighted lessons from the 2024 edition, where a largely U‑23 side was eliminated in the group stage, and expressed confidence in the current roster under coach John Herdman, who is prioritising domestic‑league players for the competition.