John Herdman finalises Indonesia’s AFF 2026 squad amid overseas player moves

Coach John Herdman is preparing the Indonesia national football team for the AFF Championship 2026, with a training camp scheduled in Bali from 5‑11 July. The coaching staff has shortlisted 46 players, aiming to cut the list to 25‑26 for the tournament. The pool includes around 15 naturalised players, and Vietnamese media reports a possible 12 naturalised members.

Six Persija Jakarta players (Rizky Ridho, Jordi Amat, Rayhan Hannan, Dony Tri Pamungkas, Shayne Pattynama, Mauro Zijlstra) have confirmed participation, joined by Arema’s Arkhan Fikri, bringing the early call‑up total to seven. New Persib Bandung signings—Japan’s Gakuto Notsuda and other foreign recruits—have also been announced, while former foreign players Andrew Jung and others have left the club.

Overseas striker Ole Romeny, a naturalised Indonesia forward, is reported to be moving to Dutch side Fortuna Sittard on a loan with an option to buy, a deal valued at about €800 000, rather than joining Persib Bandung. Meanwhile, naturalised defender Justin Hubner scored the winning goal for Fortuna Sittard in a pre‑season friendly, a development welcomed by Herdman.

Persib’s recent recruits Sandy Walsh and Ragnar Oratmangoen have not yet been confirmed for the national squad, with pundit Bung Ropan noting their eligibility remains uncertain. The Indonesian Football Association aims for a title in the AFF 2026, with the team placed in Group A alongside Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia and Timor Leste.