Herdman Cancels Jordan Friendly, Opts for Bali Training Camp to Sharpen Squad for 2030 Qualifiers
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- PSSI membatalkan laga uji coba melawan Yordania di Amman karena tensi keamanan di Timur Tengah, sehingga Timnas Indonesia mengalihkan fokus ke pemusatan latihan di Bali.
- Perubahan jadwal Piala Asia 2027 menjadi Desember 2027–Januari 2028 memaksa Herdman menyusun ulang kalender persiapan, dengan TC Bali sebagai fondasi kedalaman skuad.
- Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2030 Zona Asia baru dimulai September 2027, memberi ruang bagi Herdman untuk membangun pondasi tim tanpa tekanan kompetitif dalam waktu dekat.
Indonesia national team coach John Herdman has confirmed that the training camp in Bali during the November 2026 FIFA Matchday window is not merely a replacement for the cancelled friendly, but a strategic step to strengthen squad depth ahead of the 2030 World Cup Asian Zone Qualifiers. The decision was taken after PSSI cancelled the planned friendly against Jordan in Amman on 13 November 2026 due to the escalating security situation in the Middle East.
The Garuda squad was supposed to play a friendly in Jordan as part of preparations for international tournaments. However, the escalation of conflict in the region led PSSI to choose the safer path. Efforts to find a replacement opponent, including approaching Hong Kong, also did not produce a definite result. As a result, a week-long training camp on the Island of the Gods from 9–17 November 2026 became the most realistic option.
Herdman revealed that the decision was also influenced by the change in the 2027 Asian Cup schedule. The tournament, originally scheduled for January–February 2027, has been pushed back to December 2027 through January 2028. The shift gives the coaching staff additional time to finalize preparations, but also requires adjustments to long-term plans. "Following the postponement of the Asian Cup and considering the escalation of the regional situation in the Middle East, we decided not to proceed with the match agenda previously planned in the region," Herdman said, as quoted on the PSSI website.
In his statement, Herdman stressed that the Bali training camp will focus on strengthening squad depth. "We will use the November 2026 FIFA Matchday window to hold a seven-day training camp in Bali," he explained. "With a focus on strengthening squad depth and continuing preparations toward the 2030 World Cup Qualifiers." The statement underscores that Herdman is not only preparing the team for the Asian Cup, but also building a long-term foundation toward the World Cup qualifying round.
The decision not to force a friendly abroad deserves appreciation. Besides minimizing non-technical risks, the move gives Herdman room to evaluate players more deeply. In Bali, he can test player combinations, implement new tactics, and improve fitness without the pressure of a match result. For young players, the opportunity is a chance to prove themselves and claim a place in the starting eleven.
However, the absence of an international friendly still leaves questions about the team's readiness to face strong opponents in the qualifiers later. The 2030 World Cup Asian Zone Qualifiers will only begin in September 2027, meaning there is still almost a year for Herdman to make improvements. Nevertheless, domestic competition and regional tournaments such as the 2026 AFF Cup can serve as warm-up events that are no less important.
With a packed schedule and unpredictable global dynamics, flexibility is key. Herdman and PSSI need to keep monitoring security developments in various regions to determine the next friendly agenda. The question is whether this Bali training camp will truly be a momentum to produce a tougher squad, or the opposite? The public certainly hopes this step marks the beginning of Indonesia's rise on the world stage.
