Erick Thohir: Fate of 2027 Asian Cup to Be Decided in Bangkok, 18 November 2026
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- Ketua Umum PSSI Erick Thohir memastikan rapat Exco AFC pada 18 November 2026 di Bangkok akan memutuskan kelanjutan Piala Asia 2027.
- Ketidakpastian jadwal akibat kondisi keamanan Arab Saudi berimbas pada perencanaan Timnas Indonesia, termasuk masa kerja pelatih John Herdman yang berakhir 2027.
- Indonesia tergabung di Grup F bersama Jepang, Qatar, dan Thailand, sehingga kepastian turnamen krusial bagi strategi jangka panjang skuad Garuda.
PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir confirmed that the future of the 2027 Asian Cup will be decided at a meeting of the Executive Committee (Exco) of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in Bangkok, Thailand, on 18 November 2026. The confirmation is crucial following speculation of a postponement due to security conditions in Saudi Arabia, which was originally scheduled to host the tournament from 7 January to 5 February 2027.
Erick, who has also received an invitation to attend the meeting, said he was still waiting for the outcome. "18 November 2026, if I'm not mistaken. We'll just wait, there will be an AFC Exco meeting in Bangkok. I've been invited too, so we'll see how it goes," he said, as quoted by Bola.com. The statement confirms that PSSI has no certainty yet about the tournament's fate, even though AFC released the group-stage schedule some time ago.
The uncertainty has a direct impact on the Indonesian national team's preparations. Coach John Herdman is on a two-year contract with an option for a two-year extension, meaning his initial tenure ends in 2027. If the 2027 Asian Cup is pushed back to 2028, PSSI must decide whether to activate the extension option earlier or adjust its long-term plans. The decision concerns not only the team's stability but also the direction of youth development, which has been Herdman's focus.
For Indonesia, certainty over the schedule is not just about dates. The group draw that placed the Garuda alongside Japan, Qatar, and Thailand demands thorough preparation, especially since Japan and Qatar are World Cup regulars. Herdman needs to design training programs, friendlies, and training camps that align with the domestic competition. A postponement to 2028 would provide extra time for naturalization and youth development, but it also risks disrupting the momentum built since the qualifiers.
On the other hand, AFC faces pressure to maintain the integrity of the competition. Saudi Arabia as sole host has made a major commitment, including infrastructure and stadium construction. If security is the reason for a postponement, AFC must consider alternative host options or rescheduling that does not disadvantage participants. So far, AFC has not issued an official statement on the speculation, and the Exco meeting will be the first forum to discuss it formally.
"We'll just wait, there will be an AFC Exco meeting in Bangkok. I've been invited too, so we'll see how it goes." — Erick Thohir, PSSI Chairman
For Indonesian football fans, the outcome of the 18 November meeting will determine the national team's direction over the next two years. If the tournament goes ahead as scheduled, Herdman has about 14 months to prepare his squad. Conversely, a postponement to 2028 would give more room for regeneration but would require clarity on the coach's contract and continuity of programs. PSSI is also expected to proactively communicate worst-case scenarios to the public to avoid wild speculation.
The big question: will AFC keep Saudi Arabia as host, or open the door to other options? The answer will soon emerge in Bangkok, and its impact will be felt all the way to the Indonesian national team's training pitch.
