A 'strange' factor appears in the Indonesian national team list for the Asean Cup

The Indonesian national team is starting to reveal the first names in its roadmap for the 2026 Asean Cup, with Arema FC's midfielder Arkhan Fikri being summoned by head coach John Herdman.

According to official document number 3297/AGB/597/VI-2026 sent by the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) to Arema FC, Arkhan Fikri has been included in the preliminary squad of the Indonesian national team for the 2026 AFF Cup.

The 21-year-old midfielder will join the Indonesian national team's training camp in Bali from July 5 to 11, as part of preparations for the 2026 AFF Cup, which is scheduled to run from July 24 to August 26.

Arema FC has expressed pride in Arkhan Fikri's continued opportunity with the national team. The club's representative noted that the midfielder possesses outstanding qualities in the midfield area and still has significant potential for further development.

"In our assessment, Arkhan is a midfielder with very high professional quality. He has great potential to continue developing and become one of Indonesia's top football talents," said Munif Wakid, Head of Public Relations and Communications at Arema FC.

In the 2025/26 BRI Super League season, Arkhan Fikri made 27 appearances for Arema FC, scoring 2 goals, providing 1 assist, and receiving 1 yellow card. The midfielder, born in 2004, is no stranger to the Indonesian national team jersey, having earned 7 caps since his debut in October 2023.

Arkhan Fikri's call-up signals that coach John Herdman is gradually finalizing the Indonesian national team's squad ahead of the 2026 AFF Cup campaign, where the archipelago nation is placed in Group A alongside Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, and the winner of the playoff between Timor-Leste and Brunei.