John Herdman on Indonesia's World Cup Ambition: "Pressure Is a Privilege"

January 13, 2026 | 02:23 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The new head coach of the Indonesian national team, John Herdman, affirmed that he's unfazed by the immense pressure of managing the Garuda team. He conveyed this during his first press conference at Hotel Mulia, Jakarta, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. "Pressure is a privilege. You come to an organization, you lead a team, and you carry the weight of a nation," said Herdman.

For Herdman, pressure must not always be seen as a burden, as it could transform into a blessing if managed properly, especially due to the enormous energy from fans. "That weight can be a curse or a blessing. We will optimize it into a gift for all of us. It will be a big opportunity that I will continue to share with the players," said Herdman.

John Herdman said he knows all about the pressure, highlighting his experience with Canada when it qualified for the 2022 World Cup under his guidance. The coach said he experienced firsthand how public pressure can turn into positive energy for the team. "I've lived the moment when a country stops [waiting] and qualifies for the first time. So I can tell my players this pressure is a gift. We will listen to the fans and use their energy," he said.

Indonesia failed to advance to the 2026 World Cup after suffering two defeats to Saudi Arabia and Iraq in the fourth round of qualifiers last October. This failure led to the termination of Patrick Kluivert's contract, who had only lasted for 10 months since his appointment in January 2025.

Indonesia's chance to compete in the next World Cup will only open up in four years, during the 100-year commemorative edition to be held in Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.

Nevertheless, Herdman emphasized the long road it takes to qualify for the World Cup, citing his experience with Canada. "I will tell the fans that qualifying for the World Cup does not happen overnight. It took Canada 36 years to get there," he said. John Herdman was appointed as Canada's coach in 2018, four years before the team advanced into the World Cup.

According to Herdman, Indonesia has taken a significant step, but the real work is only about to begin. "Indonesia took a huge step recently, and we have to take the next step, we will. So the commitment, the pressure are what will drive us to ensure we deliver that moment for the country," said Herdman.

"That's why I came here. That opportunity is why I get out of bed every day," said the English coach.

Read: PSSI to Introduce John Herdman as New Indonesian National Team Coach

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