Indonesia Names 23 Players for AFC U-17 Asian Cup, Including Three Diaspora Talents

The Indonesian U-17 national football team has officially unveiled its 23-player roster for the upcoming 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup, set to be held in Saudi Arabia. This squad is notably bolstered by the inclusion of three diaspora players, who are expected to significantly enhance the team's depth and overall quality. Among these new additions, Mathew Baker stands out due to his previous experience in both the U-17 Asian Cup and the U-17 World Cup, bringing valuable international exposure to the team.

These three diaspora talents join a core group of players who previously competed in the ASEAN U-17 Championship. Several familiar names have been retained, including Noah Leo Duvert, Putu Ekayana, Zidane Raditya, Chico Jericho, Dava Yunna, and Sean Rahman, indicating a blend of established talent and new potential. The team, managed by Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto, faces a formidable challenge in Group B, where they will compete against powerhouses Japan U-17, China U-17, and Qatar U-17. This group is widely considered the 'group of death' due to the strong track records of these nations in youth football, with Japan being the most successful team in the tournament's history, boasting four titles.

Looking at club representation, Bali United contributes the most players with four representatives: Noah Leo Duvert, Putu Ekayana, Made Arbi, and Keanu Sanjaya. Following closely are Persija Jakarta, Persik Kediri, Persebaya Surabaya, and Adhyaksa, each providing three players to the squad. The 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup is scheduled to take place in Jeddah from May 5-22. The tournament serves as a crucial qualifier for the 2026 U-17 World Cup, with the top two teams from each group securing berths to the global event, which will be hosted in Qatar. For Indonesian football enthusiasts, this tournament represents a vital opportunity to witness the future stars of the nation and gauge their progress against some of the best young talents in Asia.