FAJAR.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The opponents that the Indonesian national team will face in the 2026 FIFA Series have been officially announced by FIFA.

The Indonesian national team is part of a group consisting of three countries from different continents.

According to a FIFA press release, the Garuda Squad will host three teams from different confederations against Bulgaria (UEFA), Solomon Islands (OFC) and Saint Kitts and Nevis (CONCACAF).

During this event, Indonesia was also named as the host of the competition.

The FIFA Series 2026 event will take place during the international window of March to April 2026, to be precise between March 23 and 31, 2026.

There are several interesting facts about the three countries that will be Team Garuda’s opponents.

Never Defeated by John Herdman

There was a country that, before this meeting, had already been beaten by the new coach of the Indonesian national team, John Herdman.

When he was still Canada’s coach, he had a victory against Saint Kitts and Nevis.

At that time, Herdman led Canada to a narrow 1-0 victory against Saint Kitts and Nevis on November 19, 2018.

The match took place during 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League qualifying, with the only goal scored courtesy of Atiba Hutchinson’s header.

Strength based on FIFA ranking

Among the list of participants, Bulgaria is the team with the highest FIFA ranking.

According to the FIFA rankings for January 2026, Bulgaria occupies 87th place in the world and is the only participant in the top 100.

This is a golden opportunity to pick up points, if coach John Herdman’s team can achieve positive results.

Fajar.co.id, Jeddah – The Indonesian national team began to prepare to face the fourth tour of the Qualifications of the Asian World Cup 2026.

During the first training session, there were already 15 players joining the training center (TC).

Of the 15 players dominated by players who participated, including players who played the Super League BRI, namely 13 players.

As for the other players with a status abroad, they are Ramadan Sananta (DPMM FC) and Ole Romeny (Oxford United).

In connection with this, coach Patrick Kluivert said he had no problem with players who were slow to join TC.

According to him, this is already common, and these late players will adapt immediately and will immediately enter the system.

“I am very happy. The spirit shown by the players is very fantastic. The spirit of the team is very high,” said Kluivert, quoted by Antara.

“The exercise we did, the players did it very well. So I was very satisfied with the first training,” he said.

With this, there are 14 players who will in turn follow

According to him, this is already common, and these late players will adapt immediately and will immediately enter the system.

“I think everyone knows how we work because we also experienced the previous situation that the players gradually came, they came and they went directly to the system, so I did not worry about how they came,” he said.

As for the inaugural match of the Indonesian national team in the fourth round will face the host of Saudi Arabia at the King Abdullah Sport City stadium, Jeddah, Thursday 9/10/2025).