Indonesia denies using money to invite players to naturalize

Since 2022, Indonesia has successfully naturalized 12 players of mixed blood and can form a playing squad. The list includes goalkeepers Maarten Paes (Netherlands) and Cyrus Margono (USA), defenders Justin Huber, Sandy Walsh, Nathan Tjoe Aon, Shayne Pattynama, Jay Idzes (Netherlands), Jordi Amat (Spain), two midfielders Ivar Jenner and Thom Haye (Netherlands), two strikers Ragnar Oratmangoen and Rafael Struick (Netherlands).

Previously, the team had central defender Elkan Baggott (England, on the payroll of Ipswich Town). PSSI also promoted the procedures and will soon successfully naturalize two players of Dutch origin, defender Calvin Verdonk (NEC Nijmegen) and striker Jens Raven (U21 Dordrecht).

The emergence of quality players is a proposal from coach Shin Tae-yong. In fact, Indonesia has achieved many successes from the above policy, such as passing the group stage of the Asian Cup 2023 for the first time, reaching the semi-finals of the U23 Asia 2024 and having the opportunity to pass the second qualifying round of the World Cup 2026. However, they also faced many rumors, including paying to convince players to become naturalized, because the law of the archipelago stipulates that citizens can only hold one nationality.

"The players have never asked for or wanted any compensation," PSSI Secretary General Yunus Nusi toldCNN Indonesia"We have contacted the players' parents and they also want their children to fight and strengthen the National Team."

PSSI works with players based on recommendations from coaches and technical directors. The selection criteria are players with outstanding skills, or who play well in positions that local players cannot yet take on.

Yesterday, June 3, the Indonesian Ministry of Youth and Sports met with PSSI, in which it was recommended that the National Team still prioritize local players. An official suggested that each match should have at least 60% local players. However, according to PSSI, the decision is absolutely up to coach Shin Tae-yong.

Indonesia also faced dissatisfaction from naturalized players, typically center back Elkan Baggott, when he did not respond to coach Shin's call-up. Baggott was said to be dissatisfied with not being able to keep his starting position, but in fact Indonesia has many excellent players in defense.

PSSI President Erick Thohir stressed that having more naturalized players will help increase the strength of the National Team and the competition among players. Therefore, he expects all players to be serious. "If anyone does not want to play, we will find players who are more hungry," Thohir toldCNN Indonesia. "We don't want to force anyone."

Indonesia drew 0-0 with African representative Tanzania on June 2. They are looking forward to the final two matches of the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, against Iraq on June 6 and the Philippines on June 11, at home at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. Indonesia needs three more points to secure a place in the next round. Currently, Shin's team is second in Group F with seven points, five points behind the leader Iraq and four points ahead of Vietnam.