Malaysia calls up 12 naturalized players to compete in Asian Cup qualifiers

(Dan Tri) - The Malaysian national team has just announced the squad for the third qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup. The group of 7 naturalized players using fake profiles were of course not present, but Malaysia called up two new naturalized players.

Seven people were suspended by the World Football Federation (FIFA) for 12 months, starting from September 26, including Gabriel Palmero, Garces, Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Figueiredo, Irazabal and Hevel.

These naturalized players were found by FIFA to have used fake documents to obtain Malaysian citizenship. They have 10 days to appeal. However, while the outcome of this appeal is unknown, they must still comply with the regulation that they are not allowed to participate in any football activities, worldwide.

A group of 7 naturalized Malaysian players using fake documents are temporarily not allowed to wear the national team jersey (Photo: NST).

Therefore, the Malaysian team cannot call up the above players for the 3rd qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup, taking place in October.

The team nicknamed Harimau Malaya announced the list of 29 players early this afternoon (October 3), preparing for the matches against Laos on October 9 and October 14.

Notably, in the list of 29 Malaysian players, there are two new naturalized players, including defender Richard Chin (born in England, 22 years old, currently playing for Scottish club Raith Rovers) and striker Jordan Mintah (born in Ghana, 30 years old, currently playing for Malaysian club Kuching City).

The Malaysian team is currently still full of naturalized players (Photo: VFF).

If we count the two players mentioned above, the Malaysian squad after eliminating 7 naturalized players using fake profiles still has 12 players born outside Malaysia. This detail shows that Malaysian football is currently too dependent on naturalized players.

After seven players including Gabriel Palmero, Garces, Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Figueiredo, Irazabal and Hevel were temporarily banned by FIFA, the Malaysian team returned to using naturalized players who were excluded from the list in the most recent training sessions, in September (friendly matches) and June (Asian Cup qualifiers).

Those who were eliminated and are now called back include midfielder Sergio Aguero of Argentine origin, striker Paulo Josue (of Brazilian origin), Romel Morales (of Colombian origin)...

The list of 29 Malaysian players just announced also includes one player currently playing in the V-League, for the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club, midfielder Endrick (Brazilian origin).

List of 29 Malaysian players preparing for the match against Laos, in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers (Photo: Asean Football).

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/malaysia-trieu-tap-12-cau-thu-nhap-tich-thi-dau-vong-loai-asian-cup-20251003143817038.htm