Indonesia hopes the World Cup coach will elevate the national team to a global level

English tactician John Herdman is anticipated to help the Indonesian team undergo a full transformation, targeting a position within the top 50 in the world and qualification for the 2030 World Cup.

The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) is preparing to announce the identity of the new head coach of the national team, and all attention is focused on John Herdman, the English coach who led Canada back to the World Cup after nearly four decades.

According to Bola, PSSI expects John Herdman to be the “golden hand” to completely revamp the Indonesian team following the dismissal of coach Patrick Kluivert, who was fired for failing to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

John Herdman previously coached New Zealand before achieving a remarkable feat with Canada. In just three years (2018–2021), he transformed Canada from a mid-tier CONCACAF team into a strong squad capable of competing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Although they did not advance past the group stage, this success raised Herdman’s profile, attracting interest from national teams like Honduras and Jamaica. However, he declined both offers to take on the challenge with Indonesia.

It was revealed that PSSI has set two major goals for John Herdman: to bring Indonesia into the FIFA top 50 rankings and secure a place at the 2030 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. This is a long-term plan within the framework of Indonesia’s football development strategy for 2025–2030.

Experts believe that with his disciplined style, emphasis on fitness, and mental toughness, Herdman can strongly help Indonesia transform. Compared to his predecessor Patrick Kluivert, Herdman’s achievements are considered more impressive.

Currently, Indonesia ranks 122nd globally, and if the team maintains its form and steady development strategy, reaching the top 50 is no longer a distant dream.

John Herdman is expected to officially debut in early 2026, opening a new chapter for Indonesian football filled with ambition, boldness, and belief in reaching the global stage.