Jakarta, Indonesia – A promising start to his tenure with the Indonesian national team has hit a snag for John Herdman. Winger Miliano Jonathans is confirmed out of contention for the upcoming FIFA Series 2026 after suffering a second ACL injury, leaving Herdman with the task of potentially trimming up to 17 players from his initial 41-man squad.
Herdman announced the preliminary squad on Monday, March 9, 2026, signaling his intent to evaluate a broad pool of talent ahead of the international matches. Jonathans’ inclusion represented a potential boost to the attacking options, but a recent setback in the Dutch Eredivisie has altered those plans.
The 21-year-classic Jonathans sustained the injury during a match between Excelsior Rotterdam and SC Heerenveen on March 8, 2026. He was substituted off the field just nine minutes after entering the game at Stadion Woudenstein, immediately raising concerns about the severity of the injury. Excelsior ultimately lost the match 2-1.
The news is particularly disheartening for Jonathans, who is on loan at Excelsior from FC Utrecht. A prolonged absence due to injury casts doubt on a potential permanent move to his current club. More immediately, it removes a player from Herdman’s consideration for the FIFA Series 2026.
Jonathans confirmed the ACL tear via an Instagram post on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, expressing his disappointment but vowing to return stronger. This marks the second time in his professional career that Jonathans has suffered an ACL injury, having previously sustained a similar injury while playing for Vitesse Arnhem in 2024. “What can I say… Not the news I was hoping for, ACL tear for the second time in two years. I will come back stronger!” he wrote.
With Jonathans’ absence now confirmed, Herdman faces a significant roster decision. Having initially called up 41 players, the coach could potentially reduce the squad to as few as 23 players for the FIFA Series. This means up to 18 players could be cut, though a final squad size hasn’t been officially announced. The initial call-up included a diverse range of players, with five goalkeepers, 12 defenders, 13 midfielders and 11 forwards.
The situation is further complicated by concerns surrounding the fitness of other players. Mauro Zijlstra, a forward, is reportedly doubtful for selection after missing a recent match for Persija Jakarta due to an unspecified injury.
The FIFA Series 2026 will provide Herdman with a crucial opportunity to assess his squad and implement his tactical approach. Indonesia is scheduled to face Saint Kitts and Nevis on March 27, with Bulgaria and the Solomon Islands also participating in the four-team tournament, which will be held at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. The tournament format involves a semi-final and final, offering valuable competitive minutes for the national team.
The loss of Jonathans is a blow to Herdman’s attacking options, but the coach has a wealth of other players to choose from. The squad includes established names like Ragnar Oratmangoen and Yakob Sayuri, as well as emerging talents like Ole Romeny and Adrian Wibowo. Herdman will need to carefully evaluate each player’s form and fitness before making his final selections.
For Indonesian football fans, the FIFA Series represents a chance to see the national team in action and gauge the progress under new leadership. Herdman’s initial squad selection demonstrated a commitment to incorporating both experienced players and promising young talents, and the upcoming matches will be a key indicator of the team’s potential.
The coming days will be crucial as Herdman and his coaching staff finalize the squad for the FIFA Series 2026. The injury to Miliano Jonathans has undoubtedly complicated matters, but the Indonesian national team remains focused on preparing for the challenges ahead. The final squad list is expected to be announced in the coming week, setting the stage for an exciting tournament at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
Indonesia will face Saint Kitts and Nevis on March 27 at 8:00 PM local time (UTC+7). Bulgaria will play the Solomon Islands earlier that day at 3:30 PM local time. The winners of both matches will then compete for the championship on March 30, while the losing teams will battle for third place.
