PSSI's Strategy to Bring European-Based Players Home for Indonesia National Team in FIFA Series 2026

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) is preparing various steps to ensure Indonesian national team players competing in Europe can gather ahead of the FIFA Series 2026.

The FIFA Series 2026 is scheduled to take place on 27 and 30 March 2026 at Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno.

The Indonesian national team will play its first match against Saint Kitts and Nevis on 27 March. If victorious, the Garuda squad will face the winner of the match between Bulgaria and the Solomon Islands on 30 March 2026. Should the first match end in defeat, Indonesia will meet another defeated team from that round.

The FIFA Series 2026 provides an opportunity to face opponents from different confederations.

Indonesia national team coach John Herdman has called up 41 players for centralized training. The large-scale callup allows the coach to select players according to tactical requirements. The players are scheduled to join after the Eid holiday.

The FIFA calendar for the March 2026 FIFA Matchday runs from 23 to 30 March.

Several European-based players on the squad include Emil Audero (UC Cremonese), Maarten Paes (Ajax), Jay Idzes (US Sassuolo), and Kevin Diks (Borussia Mönchengladbach). Also included are Tim Geypens (FC Emmen), Ole Romeny (Oxford United), Ragnar Oratmangoen (FCV Dender), and one player from the United States: Adrian Wibowo (Los Angeles FC).

The presence of players across various leagues means the travel logistics to Indonesia must be carefully coordinated.