Since Erick Thohir took the helm, Indonesia has led Southeast Asia in seeking and naturalizing players, primarily those of Dutch descent. At one point, nearly 70% of Indonesia's national team were naturalized players, with the starting lineup featuring only one locally trained player.
This approach, while controversial in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, has helped the national team achieve unprecedented success. The U23 team reached the semifinals of the 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup for the first time, the senior team advanced past the group stage of the 2023 Asian Cup for the first time, and then made it to the fourth round of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC.
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PSSI chairman Erick Thohir at a press conference before the President Cup in Indonesia in 7/2025. Photo: Bola |
PSSI chairman Erick Thohir at a press conference before the President Cup in Indonesia in 7/2025. Photo: Bola
Thohir addressed the naturalization issue again in a broadcast on the Liputan6 YouTube channel. "We don't want to depend on naturalized players," the chairman, born in 1970, said. "If that happens, it could negatively impact the development of local young talent."
However, Thohir acknowledged that naturalized players help maintain the national team's competitiveness. Most of these players compete abroad, which raises the team's overall skill level, but it's not a long-term solution. "We've achieved quick success. But that momentum came incidentally," Thohir said. "Would we build U17 and U20 teams entirely of naturalized players? Of course not. It would kill the team slowly."
Thohir also believes the public has misconceptions about some naturalized players who are actually Indonesian citizens. He mentioned Australian-born Mathew Baker, who plays for Melbourne City and has held an Indonesian passport for a long time. He also noted U17 midfielder Welber Jardim, who is of Brazilian descent but whose father played for Indonesia's U20 team and whose mother is Indonesian.
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Indonesia's starting lineup featured 10 players of mixed heritage in their 1-5 loss to Australia in the seventh round of Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC, at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on 20/3/2025. Photo: AP |
Indonesia's starting lineup featured 10 players of mixed heritage in their 1-5 loss to Australia in the seventh round of Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC, at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on 20/3/2025. Photo: AP
The PSSI chairman also pointed to the UAE, Qatar, and Morocco as countries that have extensively naturalized players for their national teams. "The UAE has eight Brazilian players. Qatar and Morocco also have many naturalized players," Thohir said. "But that doesn't kill the domestic talent development process."
Besides naturalization, the former Inter Milan president emphasized that PSSI will focus on the national team. He's unconcerned about fans suggesting the federation is neglecting the national league.
Indonesian newspaper Suara pointed out the benefits of developing the national team: It improves Indonesia's international image, boosts its FIFA ranking, and attracts sponsors, thereby increasing revenue. The downside is that domestic leagues are overlooked, players face more pressure when playing for the national team, and fan culture hasn't kept pace with the development.
Trung Thu
