Top Indonesian official thrilled to have a World Cup-class coach

Erick Thohir, President of the Indonesian Football Association, expressed high admiration for the newly appointed head coach of the national team, John Herdman.

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) officially announced the appointment of John Herdman as the new head coach of the Indonesian national team on Saturday (January 3, 2026). The federation described John Herdman's appointment as "marking the beginning of a new era for the nation's football".

PSSI President Erick Thohir stated that Indonesian football has entered a new chapter following the selection of John Herdman as the national team head coach on Saturday (1/3/2026). Furthermore, Erick considers this appointment a crucial turning point for national football.

Erick Thohir referred to John Herdman as a World Cup-level coach. "This is the moment PSSI and Indonesian football step into a new era, led by a coach with World Cup qualifying pedigree", Erick Thohir said, as quoted from the official website of the Indonesian Football Association.

John Herdman indeed led the Canadian national team at the 2022 World Cup. Unfortunately, at the tournament held in Qatar, Canada lost all three matches and was eliminated in the group stage. Additionally, Herdman also coached the Canadian women's national team at the 2007 and 2011 Women's World Cups.

PSSI has signed a two-year contract with John Herdman, including an extension option until 2029, and he is expected to simultaneously serve as head coach of the U23 national team.

"Mr. Herdman has been given a long-term 2-year contract with an additional 2-year extension and assigned dual roles as head coach for both the senior national team and the U23 team", PSSI stated on the Indonesian Football Association's website.

"Emphasizing that PSSI no longer relies on short-term fixes but instead focuses on sustainable projects. As the U23 national team coach, Herdman will also lead the young Garuda squad at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on September 19, 2026," PSSI added.