Not Vietnam or Thailand: John Herdman states this is the toughest opponent for the Indonesian National Team at the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup.

Indonesia National Team head coach John Herdman assesses that the toughest challenge the Garuda squad will face at the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup actually comes from within the team itself.

Herdman does not disregard the strength of several of Indonesia's rivals in Southeast Asia. Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia are all recognised as quality sides. However, before facing these external competitors, Indonesia must first overcome internal issues regarding squad mentality, performance consistency, and the competitive standards that the team has set for themselves.

"I think our biggest opponent in this tournament is ourselves: our own team, our own mentality, our own standards. I believe we have a strong squad," Herdman stated during the official 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup broadcast rights announcement event held at SCTV Tower, Jakarta on Monday.

The 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup is scheduled to run from 24 September through to 5 October. Indonesia will host all Division 1 fixtures, with matches taking place at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK) in Jakarta, and Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung Regency.

The Indonesia National Team has been drawn into Group A alongside Bangladesh, Malaysia and Singapore. Group B meanwhile consists of Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand and the Philippines.

Every Group A match will be hosted at SUGBK, while all Group B fixtures will be played at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium.

Indonesia will open their tournament campaign against Singapore on Friday 25 September at SUGBK. Three days later on Monday 28 September, the Garuda squad will face Malaysia. Their final group stage match will see Indonesia take on Bangladesh on Thursday 1 October.

Herdman maintains that Indonesia have no reason to fear any opponent, so long as the squad can uphold the performance standards that have been built. According to the coach, confidence and the drive to deliver their best football will be critical assets for the team throughout the tournament.

"If we can uphold the standards we have set, play with the fighting spirit that represents our nation, and carry the optimism and belief that we can deliver, then there is no opponent that we need to fear," the 51-year-old coach stated.

The 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup also marks an opportunity for the Indonesia National Team to bounce back following disappointing results at the 2026 AFF Cup.

The Garuda squad has now failed to advance to the semi-finals for two consecutive editions of the regional competition. Most recently, Indonesia suffered a heavy 0-3 home defeat against Vietnam on their own ground.

After that loss, Indonesia dropped further points in their away fixture against Singapore, with that match ending in a 1-1 draw.

These results have formed a core part of the national team's evaluation process ahead of the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup. Herdman has now stated he expects his players to maintain the correct mentality, meet the team's established performance standards, and compete with full confidence once the tournament begins.