Indonesia team will not naturalize more before match against China

The Indonesian team will not have any reinforcements from new naturalized players - Photo: AFP

President of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Mr. Erick Thohir, has just confirmed that the team will not have any new naturalized players before the matches against China and Japan.

Currently, the "island country" team is ranked 4th in Group C of the 3rd qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia. They have 9 points and have many opportunities to enter the play-off round to compete for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup finals.

Coach Patrick Kluivert's team will face China and Japan in June to close the third qualifying round.

In an interview with CNN Indonesia , Mr. Erick Thohir said: "There are no new naturalized players joining the team. The coaching staff and the whole team will focus on the current players."

The current Indonesian team's lineup is mainly naturalized players of European origin - Photo: REUTERS

Indonesia's most recent naturalized players include Emil Audero, Dean James and Joey Pelupessy. However, only goalkeeper Emil Audero has yet to make an official appearance for the national team.

Indonesia will host China at home on June 5. They will then travel to Japan to play the final match of the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia on June 10.

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THANH DINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tuyen-indonesia-khong-nhap-tich-them-truoc-tran-gap-trung-quoc-20250418201948569.htm