Indonesian National Team: 'Big Question Mark' Ahead of FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026

With just two weeks until the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 kicks off, the Indonesian national team still does not have an official training camp schedule. PSSI Secretary-General Yunus Nusi admitted that everything is still in the coordination stage. "The national team's preparation is currently still at the coordination stage before entering the full training program," Yunus Nusi told VIVA on Thursday, September 10, 2026. Notably, head coach John Herdman has not yet sent a specific schedule for the training camp. PSSI is still finalizing communication with players projected to join the team. The timing of when players will arrive in Jakarta remains unconfirmed. According to the plan, the team will train at PTIK (Pusat Pendidikan dan Pelatihan Olahraga Indonesia), but the start time still depends on the coaching staff's decision. This delay raises a big question about Indonesia's readiness as the regional tournament – scheduled from September 24 to October 5, 2026 – draws very near. A tournament lasting only 11 days, where every match is crucial. It should be noted that 'FIFA ASEAN Cup' is actually another name for the AFF Cup (ASEAN Football Championship), a tournament organized by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), not FIFA. This naming may cause confusion but does not affect the essence of the event. PSSI insists it is not idle. They have instructed officials and the BTN (National Team Body) to conduct direct checks at PTIK almost daily to ensure facilities are ready. "Monitoring is carried out almost every day to ensure everything fits together. We have also asked officials and BTN to conduct direct checks," Yunus Nusi added. However, focusing only on facilities is insufficient. A team cannot win solely because of a nice pitch. The core question is: when will the players actually be on the training ground? From a tactical perspective, the lack of a specific schedule means Indonesia is losing precious days to build the squad. Coach John Herdman, who led Canada at the 2026 World Cup, is likely calculating every day. If the training camp starts only in mid-September, actual preparation time will be less than two weeks. In that short period, a coach typically prioritizes defense and set pieces – elements that can be drilled most quickly. More complex buildup drills are often sacrificed. This could cost Indonesia tactical flexibility during the tournament. Another factor is the squad composition. Indonesia relies heavily on naturalized players of European origin – a strategy that raises squad quality but creates logistical difficulties. Communicating with overseas players, especially those playing in Europe, requires complex coordination regarding paperwork, club releases, and travel schedules. This complexity may be exactly why the training schedule is delayed. PSSI needs to ensure every player is eligible, both legally and physically, before finalizing the squad. Unlike strong regional rivals like Thailand or Vietnam, which have stable preparation processes, Indonesia faces a difficult puzzle: racing against time while resolving administrative issues. A contrarian view suggests the delay might be intentional. Coach Herdman may be waiting for key players to finish club duties before assembling. If so, this is a tactical decision, not negligence. PSSI's repeated emphasis on monitoring activities could also be a reputation shield, to avoid being criticized as 'disorganized'. However, regardless of the reason, the reality remains: time is running out fast. Each passing day without a training schedule is a day the team loses for bonding. In the context of a short tournament, the advantage goes to the best-prepared teams. Indonesia, as a heavyweight contender, cannot afford a late start. Public pressure is also mounting. News articles have begun questioning the team's readiness. If results are poor, these questions will become harsh criticism. The only positive point is that PSSI seems to have the facility aspect under control. Monitoring PTIK daily shows that the government and federation have invested in preparation. But as said, a good pitch does not necessarily make a good team. The human element is key. In summary, the current situation of the Indonesian national team ahead of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 can be described in one word: 'waiting'. Waiting for Coach Herdman to send the schedule, waiting for players to assemble, and waiting to see if everything will be ready in time. The answer will come in the next few days. If everything goes smoothly, this will be just a breeze. If not, it will be a storm. For fans, the only thing to do now is hope that the people behind the scenes – the logistics staff, the groundkeepers, the officials monitoring every blade of grass – will not pay the price for a delay beyond their control. Football is not just about goals; it is about preparation from the smallest things. And Indonesia still seems to be groping in the dark with the tournament so close.