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JAKARTA – A surprising twist accompanied the official announcement of the Garuda squad for the upcoming international friendlies.

Indonesia national team head coach John Herdman has officially called up 23 players for the June 2026 FIFA Matchday fixtures.

Among the selected players, young defender Mathew Baker has been confirmed as part of the main squad, stepping in to replace Jay Idzes, who has been ruled out due to injury.

Garuda Squad to Face Oman and Mozambique

The Garuda team is set to take on Oman and Mozambique at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, on 5 and 9 June 2026.

This announcement has sparked public surprise, as several prominent names are missing from the list.

To prepare for these two matches, John Herdman included a few fresh faces in the lineup.

This decision automatically led to the exclusion of several players who were part of the squad during the March 2026 FIFA Series.

Mathew Baker Replaces Jay Idzes

The latest call-up list features several notable inclusions, with Mathew Baker being one of the most talked-about names.

Previously, the Melbourne City FC defender had been part of Indonesia’s U-19 national team preparing for the ASEAN U-19 Championship 2026, scheduled from 1 to 13 June.

However, after training with the U-19 team, Baker received an invitation to join the senior team’s training camp (TC) from 26 to 30 May 2026 as part of preparations for the ASEAN Championship 2026.

Following that training camp, John Herdman decided to promote Mathew Baker to the senior squad for the FIFA Matchday fixtures.

Baker was named as the replacement for Jay Idzes, who suffered an injury while playing for his club Sassuolo.

While several players were released after the May training camp, Baker, along with Rayhan Hannan and a few others, has been confirmed to continue with the national team for the matches against Oman and Mozambique.

Meanwhile, the English manager made a bold call by omitting several big names.

Veteran defender Jordi Amat has been left out of this FIFA Matchday squad.

The Persija Jakarta centre-back had been one of the regulars consistently called up to represent Indonesia in recent fixtures.

In addition to Amat, Eliano Reijnders is also missing from the latest squad announcement.

During the March 2026 FIFA Series, Herdman had brought 24 players, including four goalkeepers, but this time the former Canada national team coach opted for a smaller roster.

Dean James, who previously withdrew from the March call-up due to passport issues with the KNVB, also remains absent.

Alongside Dean James and Jay Idzes, striker Ramadhan Sananta and goalkeeper Cahya Supriadi are also not included in the 23-man squad for the June 2026 FIFA Matchday.

Full 23-Man Indonesia National Team Squad:

Goalkeepers: Emil Audero, Maarten Paes, Nadeo Argawinata

Defenders: Kevin Diks, Yakob Sayuri, Rizky Ridho, Sandy Walsh, Elkan Baggott, Muhammad Ferarri, Justin Hubner, Nathan Tjoe-A-On, Dony Tri Pamungkas, Mathew Baker

Midfielders: Joey Pelupessy, Rayhan Hannan, Calvin Verdonk, Ivar Jenner

Forwards: Beckham Putra, Ragnar Oratmangoen, Ole Romeny, Mauro Zijlstra, Marselino Ferdinan, Saddil Ramdani

Players Not Called Up for the June 2026 FIFA Matchday:

- Cahya Supriadi
- Jay Idzes
- Dean James
- Eliano Reijnders
- Jordi Amat
- Ramadhan Sananta

John Herdman’s Three Key Aspects for the National Team

Beyond squad selection, John Herdman outlined three crucial aspects that he believes will drive Indonesia’s national team forward.

Under his leadership, the Garuda squad has begun to build a stronger foundation with clear goals and structured preparation for future tournaments.

One of his key agendas includes player selection during training camps ahead of the ASEAN Cup 2026, formerly known as the AFF Cup, which will primarily feature players from domestic leagues.

Additionally, the long-term development of the team, including preparations for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, has already started with the June FIFA Matchday as a stepping stone.

Herdman stated that the Garuda squad carries high hopes for next year’s Asian Cup, which will serve as vital preparation before heading into the 2030 World Cup Qualifiers.

Therefore, new talents need to be integrated promptly to strengthen the team’s depth and competitive edge.

“First, to be the best in the AFC (Asian Cup) in every controllable aspect. Second, to have more first- and second-tier players performing consistently,” said John Herdman, as quoted from the Indonesia national team’s YouTube channel.

The Consett-born coach added that all performance aspects must be thoroughly prepared within the national team structure.

His primary goal is to ensure consistent progress for the Garuda squad, even when faced with tough challenges.

This foundation, he emphasized, must be solid, and he expressed confidence in his team’s current abilities. Herdman constantly strives to maintain team balance to deliver positive results for Rizky Ridho and his teammates.

“Third, a system, structure, process, and human resources that support high performance, enabling our nation to reach a higher level. Those are the three reasons I get up each day and work hard for our success,” he explained.

Lastly, Herdman highlighted the vital role of fans who tirelessly support the team.

He noted that the presence of supporters provides unmatched energy whenever the Garuda squad plays on the field.

For Herdman, the best way to repay that unwavering support is by consistently delivering victories.

“In my opinion, the belief of the fans means everything. They must share that belief with us. Their confidence is a huge part of our motivation and spirit, and we can show it in every match. So yes, that belief is everything,” he concluded.