PSSI and Djarum Foundation to Host Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026 for U-17 Women's Team Selection

The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) is collaborating with the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation to present the Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026, a women’s football tournament for the U-17 age group. The tournament will take place from 14 to 23 August 2026 at the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus, Central Java. This marks the first international women’s football tournament to be held in Kudus. Eight teams from seven countries will participate, including two host nation teams from Indonesia, which will compete under the names Garuda Pertiwi and Putri Nusantara. The six other participants hail from Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. PSSI Executive Committee (Exco) member Vivin Sungkono Cahyani welcomed the organisation of the Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026. She stated that the tournament holds strategic value as a platform for team maturation ahead of the 2027 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers. “We appreciate and thank the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation for collaborating with PSSI to hold the Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026. This tournament is important for the women’s national team to gain international match experience before participating in the 2027 AFC U-17 Cup Qualifiers,” Vivin Sungkono said in an official PSSI statement on Tuesday (21/7/2026). Vivin explained that the two Indonesian teams will be coached by Timo Scheunemann and Takumi Taniguchi. PSSI hopes both teams will have balanced strength so that the tournament can serve as an effective means to select the best players. According to her, the Srikandi Merdeka Cup will also be part of the talent scouting process for the Indonesian U-17 Women’s National Team being prepared for the 2027 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers. The tournament will also introduce a mascot named Kandi, derived from the wayang character Srikandi, a female warrior symbolising courage and fighting spirit.