Indonesia shaping new identity under Kluivert

Published

11 Sep 2025

The Dutch icon has tweaked the playing system and style for the Garuda as preparations for the FIFA World Cup 26 qualifiers continue.

• Kluivert is building a new possession-based identity for Indonesia

• Experimenting with formations and player positions is main focus

• Crucial Asian qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Iraq await in October

Since Patrick Kluivert

href="https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/patrick-kluivert-indonesia" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-radius: 0.3125rem; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0369c7; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-size-adjust: none; vertical-align: initial;"> officially took up the reins, Indonesia have played five qualifying matches for the FIFA World Cup 26™. He attempted to make radical changes to the playing system, but the crushing 5-1 defeat against Australia was a major wake-up call: transitions cannot be made instantly.

After that, the former Barcelona star returned to Shin Taeyong's foundations, relying on the 3-4-3 formation in the matches against China PR, Bahrain, and Japan. But in September, a new chapter began. The friendlies against Chinese Taipei and Lebanon served as a springboard for Kluivert to build his own tactical identity. Going further than just rotating players, he changed the playing system to a 4-4-2, creating a new look for the team.