Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Newly appointed Indonesia head coach John Herdman has outlined his initial steps to address the national team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, starting with a comprehensive internal review.

Speaking at his official unveiling in Jakarta on Tuesday (13/1/2026), he said his short-term focus is clear. 

“In the short term, the priority is to assess, to listen, and to understand the experiences of everyone involved in the last campaign,” Coach Herdman said, as quoted by antaranews.com.

He explained that he will analyze Indonesia’s two-year qualification journey to identify tactical, mental, and structural gaps that led to elimination. As part of this process, he plans to consult closely with team captain Jay Idzes and form a leadership group to capture players’ perspectives.

The findings will shape preparations for Indonesia’s upcoming FIFA Series matches in March, as Coach Herdman begins building a squad aimed at long-term World Cup qualification.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)