Timnas Indonesia canceled all international friendlies for the November 2026 FIFA match window after security concerns and fixture complications dismantled planned trips to West Asia, VIVA reported on November 8, 2026.
Initial Plans in Jordan Collapsed
The squad initially scheduled an away fixture against Jordan in Amman for November 13, 2026. However, security apprehensions across the region prompted players to question the trip.
“Many players felt worried about playing there because of security factors in the surrounding area,” Rizky Ridho said during a press conference on November 7, 2026, as reported by CNN Indonesia.
The 2027 AFC Asian Cup was postponed by 11 months to December, altering the calendar and affecting the team’s schedule, according to Tribratanews.
Failed Alternative Routes Through Cyprus and Turkey
To salvage a match, the coaching staff devised a pivot. The team planned a training camp in Cyprus, utilizing a brief 24-hour transit in Jordan before facing Kuwait in Cyprus.
The plan was that we might only be in Jordan for 24 hours, after which we would return to Cyprus and play against Kuwait there,” Ridho told VIVA after a club match on November 7, 2026.
That arrangement fell through when Kuwait’s side apparently declined to travel to Cyprus. PSSI subsequently explored an option to play in Turkey, but negotiations stalled without a confirmed opponent.
Training Camp in Bali Replaces Friendlies
With external fixtures off the table, head coach John Herdman organized an internal training camp in Bali running from November 9 to November 17, 2026, to keep the squad sharp for upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers, as detailed by AFU.id.
Regarding the TC in Bali, thank God I received a call-up,” Ridho stated, as reported by CNN Indonesia.
Head of the National Team Body Sumardji said that the federation will use the window to evaluate players with lighter club schedules and assess new faces, including Dewa United midfielder Taisei Marukawa during his naturalization process.
“Kami akan panggil beberapa pemain yang boleh dikatakan tidak padat di klubnya,” Sumardji told Antara.
“We will call up several players who can be said to not have a heavy schedule at their clubs,” Sumardji told Antara.
