JAKARTA - John Herdman is confident he can bring the Indonesian national team to the World Cup stage so he wants to sit in the coach's seat left by Patrick Kluivert.
The 50-year-old English tactician has officially been introduced as the coach of the Indonesian National Team on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. He has a two-year contract with an option to extend for two years.
Herdman actually received many offers from other countries, one of which was Honduras. However, he actually preferred Indonesia because he believed in the project that is currently being carried out.
"From everything I have heard and read, the people here, this country are ready. There is no other reason. We have players, capabilities, professionalism, now is the time to qualify (for the World Cup)," said Herdman in Jakarta.
The nearest World Cup that the Indonesian National Team will chase is in 2030. That's the project Herdman is trying to work on.
Herdman has a very impressive track record, especially in successfully bringing the Canadian National Team to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He ended the country's 36-year fast at the highest level of football.
He said that being part of the Indonesian National Team was a rare opportunity. He was happy to be in a country with such a crazy football atmosphere.
"I believe in a country with a population of 280 million people, 90 percent of whom love football. This is the right place and I want to be here when the country wants to go to the next stage," he said.
Herdman is listed as the only coach in the world who has managed to bring the men's and women's national teams from one country to the World Cup. With the Canadian Women's National Team, Herdman also appeared at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups.
In addition, he also made history by winning two consecutive Olympic bronze medals with the Canadian Women's National Team in 2012 and 2016 and reaching the fourth place in the 2015 Women's World Cup.
Another achievement was bringing the Canadian Women's National Team to the fourth place in the FIFA in 2018, which was the highest in history.
Herdman immediately faced a busy agenda with the Indonesian National Team in this year's calendar. One of them is appearing in the FIFA Series which will take place at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on FIFA Match Day 23-31 March 2026.
In addition, the FIFA Match Day agenda in June, September, October, and November, as well as the 2026 AFF Cup which is scheduled to take place starting July 25, 2026.
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