Jakarta – The recent call-up of Elkan Baggott to the Indonesian national team by new head coach John Herdman has generated significant buzz among football fans in the country. Baggott, a 23-year-old defender, had been largely absent from the squad, particularly during the tenure of former coach Shin Tae-yong, making his inclusion in Herdman’s initial squad a notable development.
The return of Baggott, announced as part of a 41-man provisional squad for the upcoming FIFA Series 2026, marks a potential turning point for the player and the national team. Herdman, who took the helm recently, appears to be signaling a willingness to revisit previously overlooked talent, and Baggott’s case is the most prominent example so far. The squad was announced on Monday, March 9, 2026, ahead of the matches scheduled for March 27-30 at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta.
Football analysts have expressed surprise, but largely positive sentiment, regarding Baggott’s inclusion. Bung Harpa, a football observer speaking on the Jekpot YouTube channel, highlighted Baggott’s quality, noting his experience playing in the English Championship – the second tier of English football. “The most surprising thing is solid, Elkan Baggott in my opinion,” Harpa stated. He emphasized that Baggott’s experience competing at a high level in England makes him a valuable asset for the national team.
Herdman’s decision to recall Baggott is also being interpreted as a reflection of the new coach’s approach. Harpa suggested a connection between Herdman’s English background and Baggott’s own ties to England, speculating that a shared cultural understanding may have played a role in the call-up. “I think there is a role from John Herdman. After all, John Herdman is of English descent. Elkan is Indonesian but has English blood. The closeness of anthropological culture must have been called and there may also be communication with the federation,” Harpa explained.
The situation surrounding Baggott’s previous absence from the national team stems from an incident during Shin Tae-yong’s tenure. According to reports, Baggott did not report for duty during a crucial Olympic qualifying event. Jeje, also speaking on Jekpot, indicated that this non-attendance was the catalyst for his exclusion. “I have A1 information. So actually, he wasn’t called up during coach Shin Tae-yong’s era because he didn’t come for the Olympics. That was the trigger and then it was seen as if he didn’t want to defend his country at significant moments,” Jeje said.
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Baggott’s absence meant he hadn’t represented the “Garuda” team since the 2024 Asian Cup in January 2024, having accumulated 24 caps during the Shin Tae-yong era (2021-2024). Alongside Baggott, Ezra Walian has also been welcomed back into the fold, having last played for Indonesia in December 2021. Herdman has also identified three new players – Fajar Fathurrahman (Persija Jakarta), Tim Geypens (Emmen, Netherlands), and Jens Raven (Bali United) – for potential debuts.
Though, inclusion in the 41-man squad doesn’t guarantee a starting position. Herdman has the flexibility to reduce the squad to 23 players for the FIFA Series matches, meaning the returning players and newcomers will require to impress during the training camp in Bali to secure their place in the final lineup. The training camp is scheduled to begin at the Bali United Training Center in Gianyar, Bali.
This recall of experienced players, coupled with the introduction of new talent, suggests Herdman is undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the squad as he prepares for upcoming international competitions. The FIFA Series matches will provide a crucial opportunity to evaluate players and establish his preferred style of play. The Indonesian national team faces a busy schedule, and building a cohesive and competitive squad will be paramount to success.
The appointment of John Herdman as head coach also opens the door to potentially exploring more naturalized players, as reported by ANTARA News. This strategy could further bolster the team’s options and competitiveness on the international stage.
The next step for the Indonesian national team is the training camp in Bali, where Herdman will have the opportunity to assess the players and finalize his squad for the FIFA Series matches. Fans will be eagerly watching to observe how Baggott and Walian integrate into the team and whether the new additions can make an immediate impact.
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