RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia will host the FIFA Series 2026™ in Jakarta this March, giving the national football team a rare opportunity to face international opponents from multiple confederations under the leadership of new head coach John Herdman.

The FIFA Series™, previously known as the FIFA World Series, is a biennial competition featuring international friendly matches between national teams from different confederations. The tournament was first held in 2024 and is designed to provide competitive exposure across regions.

In Jakarta, Indonesia will host three visiting teams from different FIFA confederations: Bulgaria from UEFA, Solomon Islands from the OFC, and St. Kitts and Nevis from CONCACAF.

According to FIFA rankings, Indonesia is currently placed 122nd, while Bulgaria sits at 88th, the Solomon Islands at 152nd, and St. Kitts and Nevis at 154th.

For the Indonesian national team, the tournament will also mark the debut of newly appointed head coach John Herdman. The English coach was officially introduced as head coach of the Indonesian national team on January 13. 2026.

Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Chairman Erick Thohir said FIFA’s decision reflects international trust in Indonesia and presents a rare opportunity for the national team’s development.

“Facing teams from Europe, Oceania, and the Americas offers a wide variety of playing styles that are extremely important for the team’s development," Erick said as quoted on PSSI official website on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

"Our players will grow mentally and technically. This is both a test and an opportunity to build a strong team capable of competing at the global level,” Erick added.

Beyond sporting development, the selection of Indonesia as a host also underscores global confidence in the country’s ability to stage international sporting events, while creating a platform for the national team to progress to a higher competitive level.

Globally, the FIFA Series 2026™ will feature 48 national teams, divided into 12 groups of four teams each, and will be staged during the March and April international match windows.

With 48 participating teams, representing nearly 25 percent of FIFA’s 211 member associations, the tournament will involve almost a quarter of the global football community. A total of 11 FIFA member associations will serve as hosts, with Rwanda hosting two groups, bringing the total number of groups to 12.

The initiative includes nine men’s groups and three women’s groups, with representation from all six FIFA confederations, reinforcing the FIFA Series™ as a truly global competition.

Confirmed hosts for the men’s groups are Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, and Uzbekistan, while women’s matches will be staged in Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, and Thailand. ***