National team convenes after Eid, diaspora players fly via Singapore

Jakarta – Arya Sinulingga, a member of the PSSI Executive Committee, has disclosed that Indonesian national team players will assemble for the FIFA Series 2026 after Eid celebrations.

According to Arya, this decision was made to allow Muslim players in the Indonesian national team to celebrate Eid with their families.

“Obviously after Eid,” Arya said whilst attending the launch event of Indonesia’s new national team jersey in collaboration with Kelme at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (GBKS) in Jakarta on Thursday.

The FIFA Series 2026, where Indonesia will host proceedings at GBKS, will see the nation face Saint Kitts and Nevis on 27 March, followed by a match against either Bulgaria or the Solomon Islands on 30 March.

For this tournament, coach John Herdman has called up 41 provisional squad members, consisting of 24 players competing in the BRI Super League and 17 players with careers abroad.

Players from Europe are planned to travel to Indonesia via Singapore, avoiding transit through the Middle East region such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

“The flight route via Singapore is possible, of course it is possible. You can definitely transit through Singapore. That is the closest route,” Arya explained. “If you go through other options, Japan would be too far away. Singapore is the closest option. Going through the Middle East would be difficult.”