John Herdman Reveals Prabowo's Support for National Team in AFF and FIFA ASEAN Cups

National football team coach John Herdman met with President Prabowo Subianto at his residence in Hambalang, West Java. During the meeting, Herdman revealed Prabowo’s full support for the national team in facing a series of upcoming competitions, including the FIFA ASEAN Cup. “Yes, I think preparations always receive support from the government. It is very important for our success to get the support of the entire nation, especially our leaders. We will soon participate in the AFF tournament. And then, as Mr Thohir explained, we will take part in the FIFA ASEAN, which I think both tournaments are very exciting for us,” Herdman said after meeting Prabowo at his residence in Hambalang, West Java, on Friday (19/6/2026). Herdman stated that his team is preparing the national squad for the FIFA ASEAN Cup and the AFF Cup. According to him, these competitions present a great opportunity for him to lead the national team to the pinnacle of victory. “One gives us the chance to use our local players and let them experience what is required, and for me to assess them. And then the FIFA ASEAN, I have a great opportunity to gather the best of the best to win that tournament. And I think that is important,” Herdman said. “The FIFA ASEAN is a tournament we must win to show that we are the best in East Asia. And this is an important step we need to take, and bring the trophy home now,” he continued. Ahead of these competitions, Herdman said that Prabowo guaranteed his support for the national team. Moreover, Herdman added, Prabowo also supports the team’s goal of qualifying for the 2030 World Cup. “I think the President is very passionate about football. Yes, he is like every other Indonesian. I keep saying, we have 280 million supporters, and he is one of them. He is one of the 280 million people who want us to qualify for the 2030 World Cup. Everything we do, every day we wake up, we are obsessed with that qualification, because it will change everything in our country forever,” he stated. Herdman and Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir met with Prabowo in Hambalang on Friday afternoon. Also present were Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.