JAKARTA – Dean James, the accomplished defender from Eredivisie club Go Ahead Eagles, has been officially excluded from the Indonesia National Team roster for the upcoming FIFA Series matches. This significant development was confirmed by Sumardji, the Chairman of the National Team Body (BTN), marking a definitive adjustment to the squad ahead of the crucial international fixtures.
Prior to this decision, James had successfully secured a place in the provisional 24-player squad for the FIFA Series, a list initially announced by PSSI on Saturday, March 21. The 25-year-old player had previously made it through an earlier rigorous selection process, surviving a cut from an initial pool of 41 prospective players, underscoring the intense competition for a spot in the Timnas Indonesia.
Sumardji provided a clear explanation for the exclusion, stating, “All the national team players are arriving tonight. Regarding Dean James, his inclusion has indeed been canceled, primarily because only 23 players can be officially registered.” He further clarified the necessity of the decision, adding, “Therefore, while 24 players were initially called up, one player ultimately had to be dropped as only 23 are eligible for registration.” Sumardji unequivocally stated that the removal of Dean James was solely a consequence of adhering to this mandated 23-player squad limit for the final Indonesia National Team roster.
Elaborating on the rationale behind not keeping an unregistered player with the team, Sumardji expressed concern for player morale, noting, “If only one player is left out and relegated to the stands, it can negatively impact a player’s mental state.” This sentiment reflects the BTN’s consideration for the psychological well-being of the players during such high-stakes international competitions.
The eagerly anticipated FIFA Series 2026 is scheduled to take place at the iconic Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK) in Senayan, Central Jakarta, running from March 27 to March 30, 2026. This prestigious tournament will showcase football talent from four distinct confederations, promising an engaging spectacle for fans.
The participating nations include Indonesia representing AFC, Bulgaria from UEFA, the Solomon Islands representing OFC, and St. Kitts and Nevis from CONCACAF. Each team is set to compete in two matches, providing ample opportunities for competitive international football encounters.
The Timnas Indonesia is scheduled to kick off their campaign against St. Kitts and Nevis on Friday, March 27, 2026, with the match slated for 8:00 PM WIB. Earlier on the same day, Bulgaria will go head-to-head with the Solomon Islands at 3:30 PM WIB. The victors of these initial two encounters will advance to the final of the FIFA Series, which is scheduled for Monday, March 30, 2026.
Conversely, the teams that do not emerge victorious from their first matches will compete for third place. The battle for third place is scheduled for March 30, 2026, at 3:30 PM WIB, preceding the grand final match, which is planned to kick off at 8:00 PM WIB, bringing an exciting conclusion to this period of international friendly football.
Summary
Dean James, a bek dari klub Eredivisie Go Ahead Eagles, telah secara resmi dikeluarkan dari daftar skuad Tim Nasional Indonesia untuk pertandingan FIFA Series mendatang. Ketua Badan Tim Nasional (BTN), Sumardji, mengonfirmasi keputusan ini, menjelaskan bahwa James, yang semula masuk dalam daftar 24 pemain sementara, terpaksa dicoret karena hanya 23 pemain yang dapat didaftarkan secara resmi untuk turnamen.
Sumardji menambahkan bahwa keputusan ini murni karena kebutuhan tim dan untuk menghindari dampak negatif pada kondisi mental pemain yang tidak terdaftar jika tetap bersama tim. FIFA Series 2026 akan berlangsung dari 27-30 Maret di Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno, menampilkan empat tim konfederasi, termasuk Indonesia yang akan menghadapi St. Kitts and Nevis pada 27 Maret.