Indonesia’s national team is entering a crucial stage of preparations for the 2026 ASEAN Championship (AFF Cup). After completing the first phase of its training camp, the Garuda squad is scheduled to reconvene in Bali on July 16, 2026, to continue its training program while undergoing the final selection process for the tournament squad.
According to information from the national team, the second phase of the training camp will remain at the same venue until July 25, 2026. The players are currently enjoying a two-day break before returning to intensive training.
“That’s correct, on July 16. The training camp is currently on a break,” Indonesia national team media officer Rifa Zainurrofi said on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
The second phase is expected to provide the final opportunity for head coach John Herdman and his coaching staff to refine the team’s tactical organization while determining the final roster for the tournament. The preliminary list of 50 players will eventually be reduced to 23 to 26 players in accordance with competition regulations.
As Herdman previously explained, the group of players participating in the second phase of the training camp will not be exactly the same as those involved in the first phase. The changes are part of the coaching staff’s ongoing evaluation process, although the number of alterations is expected to be limited.
However, Herdman has declined to reveal which players will remain from the first phase or how many will be released. He said the final squad composition will only be announced alongside the official team list ahead of the tournament’s opening on July 25.
Herdman believes the schedule for both phases of the training camp has been carefully designed with consideration for the players’ physical condition after completing the club season. According to the English coach, beginning preparations too early could lead to player fatigue, while starting too close to the tournament would leave insufficient time for proper preparation.
He also intentionally allowed the players time to spend with their families before returning for the second phase, hoping they would come back refreshed, motivated, and eager to train.
Throughout the first phase of the training camp, Herdman focused not only on physical conditioning and tactical development but also on fostering healthy competition within the squad. One of the methods employed was holding two internal matches between the Red Team and the White Team.
The matches were used to improve the team’s attacking efficiency, particularly its finishing in the final third of the pitch.
Team Showing Positive Progress
Meanwhile, defensive midfielder Rizky Ridho believes the team’s development has been progressing according to plan.
“Alhamdulillah, everything has gone smoothly. We’ve been going through the process step by step after the off-season, and now we’re fully focused on preparing for the AFF Cup. The team’s progress so far has been very positive,” he said.
According to Rizky, the first phase of training primarily focused on improving physical fitness while combining ball work with the implementation of the playing principles introduced by the coaching staff.
“The coach’s instructions have been very clear. We’re doing our best to understand them and apply them as quickly as possible on the pitch,” he added.
The 2026 ASEAN Championship will take place from July 24 to August 26. Indonesia has been drawn into Group A alongside Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste.
The tournament presents another opportunity for the Garuda squad to end its long wait for a regional title after finishing as runners-up six times without lifting the trophy.***
