AFC Approves 48-Hour Rest Rule and Player Rotation for President's Cup 2026

The organizing committee for the 2026 President's Cup has officially clarified its regulations regarding the 48-hour match rest period and player rotation policy ahead of the semi-final stage. Risha Adi Widjaya, representing the competition committee, emphasized that all rules applied in the tournament have received formal approval and recommendations from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

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We want to emphasize that the match schedule, including the 48-hour rest period between matches, is in accordance with AFC's approval and recommendations for the tournament dates.

This confirmation stems from an official AFC letter (AFC/IDN/T2/7612-2026) regarding the "President Elite Cup 2026," scheduled from July 25 to August 6, 2026. The AFC explicitly stated no objections to the tournament's dates and venue. "We want to emphasize that the match schedule, including the 48-hour rest period between matches, is in accordance with AFC's approval and recommendations for the tournament dates," Widjaya stated at a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (July 5, 2026). He added that as a tier 2 international competition, the tournament adheres to AFC regulations, including administrative reporting deadlines.

Widjaya further explained that the scheduling and squad regulations are not new to the participating teams. Transparency has been a priority since the tournament's inception. "During the Manager Competition Meeting before the semi-finals, all coaches and team managers were informed in detail. All involved parties sat together and agreed on the existing rules," he asserted.

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During the Manager Competition Meeting before the semi-finals, all coaches and team managers were informed in detail. All involved parties sat together and agreed on the existing rules.

To manage the demanding schedule and ensure player well-being, the competition committee has implemented a flexible player registration policy. "We fully understand the players' physical condition. Therefore, it was also emphasized in the meeting that we give freedom to participating teams to replace more than 12 players from the group stage to the semi-finals. This flexibility is provided so coaches can rotate their squads optimally amidst the existing rest periods," Widjaya concluded. The President Elite Cup 2026 features eight teams: Persib Bandung, Arema FC, Persebaya Surabaya, Persija Jakarta, PSMS Medan, and international invitees DPMM FC, Tampines Rovers, and Port FC. The tournament aims to maintain competitiveness while upholding fair play and player protection.

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We fully understand the players' physical condition. Therefore, it was also emphasized in the meeting that we give freedom to participating teams to replace more than 12 players from the group stage to the semi-finals. This flexibility is provided so coaches can rotate their squads optimally amidst the existing rest periods.