After missing out on the 2026 World Cup, former Canada coach John Herdman replaced Patrick Kluivert as Indonesia’s coach.
Published January 3, 2026
Indonesia hired former Canadian national team coach John Herdman to coach the men’s national team after failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 50-year-old Englishman will replace Patrick Kluivert, who stepped down as manager in October.
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The Indonesian Football Federation said on Saturday that Hardman was “not just a coach, but a football architect with a strong track record of leading teams to the World Cup.”
Herdman led the women’s team to the 2015 Women’s World Cup and led Canada to the 2022 World Cup.
Indonesia became independent in 1945, but they have not participated in the World Cup since 1938, when they were part of the Dutch East Indies.
Herdman received the written recommendation following a hearing with the Canada Soccer Disciplinary Committee stemming from the drone spying scandal at the Paris Olympics.
Domestic media reported that he had signed a two-year contract with an option for two more years.
Hardman resigned from his position as head coach of MLS team Toronto FC in 2024.
His first task will be to prepare Indonesia for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
